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METRO MANILA — The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is strengthening its partnerships with national media organizations to promote a more balanced, accurate, and development-oriented narrative about the Bangsamoro.
Through its Information and Communications Division (ICD), MILG under the leadership of Minister Jordan S. Bayam conducted a two-day Strategic Courtesy Visit and Media Engagement with National Print and Broadcast Media Networks from August 11 to 12, 2026, across Metro Manila.
The delegation, led by Information Officer V Kasan M. Usop, Jr., together with Information Technology Officer I Alnorhassan N. Sambilan, engaged key government information agencies, television networks, radio stations, and national print media organizations to explore opportunities for sustained media collaboration.
The initiative supports the direction of Minister Bayam to give greater national attention to BARMM’s development gains, governance reforms, peacebuilding initiatives, accomplishments, and emerging opportunities.
During the engagements, the MILG team underscored the importance of broadening the national narrative on BARMM beyond reports often focused on conflict, violence, and security concerns.
The team presented MILG’s mandate, programs, services, and governance initiatives while highlighting the Bangsamoro Government’s continuing efforts to strengthen institutions, improve public service delivery, advance peace and development, and transform communities.
Strengthening government information partnerships
One of the major engagements was with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Quezon City, where the team met with PIA Director General Katherine Chloe De Castro.
The PIA expressed its openness to strengthen cooperation with MILG, particularly in government communications, information dissemination, media relations, and capacity building.
De Castro offered possible training and capacity-building activities for ICD personnel and other MILG employees. She also provided a generic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that may serve as a reference for a potential formal partnership between PIA and MILG.
She further expressed her willingness to personally visit BARMM for discussions with Bangsamoro Ministries, Offices, and Agencies (BMOAs) and to explore possible areas of collaboration.
The PIA also encouraged MILG to maximize its engagement with government media platforms, including the People’s Television Network (PTV), to expand the Bangsamoro’s presence in national and regional broadcasting.
Expanding access to national broadcast platforms
MILG’s ICD team also engaged AFP Radio/Katropa Radio, where it explored opportunities for MILG officials to participate in the station’s “Kumusta Pilipinas” program.
The program regularly features government officials and agencies and provides a platform to discuss government programs, services, and initiatives directly with the public.
AFP Radio expressed its willingness to accommodate MILG for a future interview once its programming schedule becomes available.
The team likewise initiated coordination with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) to explore opportunities for wider dissemination of MILG and BARMM stories through the country’s government news agency.
Sustaining BARMM’s national media presence
The strategic media engagement, undertaken in line with Minister Bayam’s communication direction, forms part of MILG’s continuing efforts to establish sustainable relationships with national media institutions and ensure that stories of progress and transformation in BARMM reach a wider Filipino audience.
Through stronger media partnerships, MILG aims to provide the public with timely, accurate, and relevant information on the Bangsamoro Government’s programs, governance initiatives, development gains, peacebuilding efforts, and community transformation.
The initiative also seeks to create more opportunities for Bangsamoro officials and institutions to communicate directly with the public and present the region’s development agenda through credible national media platforms.
Moving forward, the ICD will follow up on the proposed MOU with PIA, pursue capacity-building opportunities, coordinate future guesting opportunities with AFP Radio/Katropa Radio, and sustain engagement with other national media organizations.
These efforts are expected to contribute to a stronger and more balanced public understanding of BARMM and its continuing transformation under the Bangsamoro Government. (MILG-ICD)