2025-12-31 to 2026-01-01

2025 RECAP: BARMM closes year with jobs, services, peace gains

COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) bureaucracy is wrapping up its 2025 governmental operations with record feats in investments, job generation, health, education, and social services, noting a steady progress and tangible improvements in the lives of its constituents. With reforms spanning governance, infrastructure, humanitarian aid, and youth and women empowerment, BARMM workforces are poised on setting the stage for stronger and more inclusive governance in 2026. Through cohesion among Bangsamoro ministries, agencies, and offices (BMOAs), alongside development partners, the regional government has expanded access to basic services, strengthened social protection, and introduced more inclusive programs. At the same time, it pushed institutional reforms and advanced youth-centered and gender-responsive policies grounded in the principles of Moral Governance. The year’s achievements were sustained through a leadership transition—from former Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim to current Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua—ensuring continuity in service delivery, reforms, and governance priorities. Boosting economic opportunities, employment, and enterprise growth BARMM’s economic performance reached new heights in 2025, with investments totaling nearly P5 billion, surpassing annual targets and generating thousands of jobs. The bulk of investments flowed into agribusiness, fisheries, housing, and logistics, the Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) reported. In tourism, the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) rolled out the 10-year Bangsamoro Tourism Development Plan (BTDP), aiming to position the region as a leading Muslim-friendly destination locally and globally. Through national–BARMM partnerships—such as tourist rest areas in Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur, halal tourism standards, dialogue initiatives, and expanded training for frontliners—the region is boosting readiness for sustainable tourism growth. The Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management (MFBM) supported these gains through modernized procurement processes, standardized budget reforms, and financial control systems that reinforced fiscal discipline and transparency. Landmark legislation, including Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 84 establishing a regional budget system, underpinned these efforts. The Cooperatives and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA) has validated 737 cooperatives, disbursed P10.5 million to 70 social enterprises, and supported 153 small enterprises. Enabling road-shows and trade fairs further promoted entrepreneurship, giving small enterprises the opportunity to market their products. The Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) has exceeded job fair targets by 180 percent, hiring 286 job seekers, with its Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and internship initiatives benefiting 5,500 students and graduates. Child labor prevention and worker protection efforts continued, with 355 rescued children mainstreamed and 350 repatriated or distressed Overseas Bangsamoro Workers (OBW) receiving cash assistance. Major milestones also included the approval of a P50 minimum wage hike and the enactment of BAA No. 82, the Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Code (BLEC), which sets new labor standards and policies protecting the workforce. Expanding humanitarian services and strengthening public welfare The Ministry of Health (MOH) implemented 56 essential programs, delivering maternal care, infectious disease control, and community health services. Medical-surgical missions reached 992 beneficiaries, while 123 nursing students and 113 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) personnel received training. Initiatives such as the Bangsamoro Disaster Response Plan (BDRP) and the PuroKalusugan Initiative improved disaster preparedness and healthcare access, particularly in remote areas. Social welfare programs led by the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) extended assistance through flagship initiatives including Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan (KAPYANAN), Project SALAM, AMBaG, Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG), Bangsamoro Mujahideen Under Special Circumstance (OBMUSC), and the Office for Settler Communities (OSC). KAPYANAN turned over 711 core shelters to indigent families, while 10,102 units remain under construction earmarked 11,827 validated beneficiaries. Project SALAM provided direct cash assistance to 12,616 recipients. As of November 2025, AMBaG had provided medical assistance to 287,666 individuals, with total financial aid disbursements amounting to P1,267,950,577.04 and 85 percent of its beneficiaries incurring zero hospital balance. From January up to November 2025, Project TABANG, through its various sub-programs, delivered free medicines and medical missions to 115,615 beneficiaries, supported 5,294 members of 172 cooperatives, and extended humanitarian services to a total of 291,026 beneficiaries across the Bangsamoro region. OBMUSC processed and validated 5,000 senior citizens and permanently disabled MILF and MNLF members. It chipped out P188.76 million out of P190.89 million to 3,000 recipients, while OSC has served 2,242 beneficiaries through medical and dental missions, catered to 1,300 with Inter-Faith Tabang assistance, and resolved at least 10 conflict cases. The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) provided social protection and poverty alleviation assistance to a total of 249,745 families, including 200,686 under 4Ps, 4,334 of whom were graduating. The MSSD crisis response reached 108,565 individuals, sustainable livelihood programs assisted 4,032 participants, and 1,790 associations received support. Over 40,000 children and youth benefited from vulnerability programs, while 16,435 women received legal, psychosocial, or humanitarian aid. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities received targeted benefits, reaching 192,241 individuals. The Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) has achieved a 100 percent Quick Response Team service rate in distributing 201,107 welfare goods including 70,355 food-packs, and responding to 349 of 365 emergency transport requests. Faith-based initiatives through Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ (BDI) reinforced grassroots peace, issuing 22 fatwas, including a declaration on tobacco and vaping, delivering 480 Khutbahs, and mobilizing 1,121 Community Peace Advocates. Advancing education accessibility and inclusivity The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) supported over 7,000 scholars through the Access to Higher and Modern Education Scholarship Program (AHME-SP), providing them P30,000 each per semester. School-based feeding programs served 12,000 learners in 46 schools, while Home-Grown Feeding Programs reached 10,451 learners in 28 schools across 10 municipalities. Alternative Learning System (ALS) initiatives trained 50 teachers, and TESD recorded 19,846 enrollees with 20,386 nationally certified graduates (91.7 percent certification rate). The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) implemented the IRR for the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Act, granting P80,000 subsidies to IP students and P15,000 financial aid to IP victims. Women and youth empowerment The Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) accredited 862 women’s organizations, certified 1,465 Women Sectoral Organizations, trained 492 barangay officials on Violence Against Women (VAW) response, and extended aid to 5,756 women and families. The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) deployed 24 youth volunteers, trained 600 youth leaders, registered 116 youth organizations, conducted Provincial Youth Parliaments for over 270 participants, and Peace and Environmental Youth Camps for 189 participants. It also launched the Bangsamoro Youth Development Plan 2025–2030, awarded P250,000 in Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Heroes grants, and trained 30 Sangguniang Kabataan officials and 92 regional youth leaders. The Bangsamoro Sports Commission (BSC) supported 274 athletes and coaches, distributed grants and equipment, conducted sports clinics, and extended financial assistance to champions. Peace, governance, and human rights The Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) settled 586 rido cases while operationalizing the Barangay Justice System to resolve community-level conflicts. MPOS trained 644 women local mediators across Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Sulu, integrating gender-responsive approaches to peace. The Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC) resolved 93 percent of 687 human rights cases, provided legal assistance to 10,900 individuals, expanded from two to seven provincial offices, and launched Transitional Justice Documentation Books. The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) advanced digital governance through the first Digital Bangsamoro Summit, planned Digital Bangsamoro Centers and e-services in multiple municipalities in BARMM. Key reforms and capacity-building initiatives were also pushed forward, including the formal adoption of the Implementation of Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code (BLGC), the rollout and updating of the Local Government Functionality Appraisal and Local Government Functionality Appraisal for Barangays (LoGFA and LoGFA-B), and the conduct of child-friendly governance audits with 117 of 119 LGUs complying. Infrastructure, transportation, and digital connectivity The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) completed 510 projects worth P6.88 billion, including over 110 kilometers of new roads, 76 water systems, 54 flood control projects, and 26 bridges and ports. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) developed three Lake Ports in Bairan, Bayang, and Masiu, enhanced airport operations, strengthened road safety, and expanded digital coverage in underserved areas—improving mobility, trade, and supporting the rollout of the BGov Super App for public services. Agriculture, fisheries, and environmental sustainability The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), in partnership with Japan and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), launched a $4.7-million program to modernize fisheries and promote sustainable aquaculture. Agricultural cooperatives received production support and interest-free financing, ensuring income security. The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) strengthened urban waste management with Enviro-Asher units, assisted 58 LGUs in developing 10-year Solid Waste Management Plans, expanded the Adopt-an-Estero Program to three island provinces, and activated the Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force. MENRE also launched the Bangsamoro Sustainable Energy Master Plan (BSEMP), approved two co-managed petroleum and coal service contracts, and adopted the first Provincial Mining Regulatory Board Manual. Landmark legislation The Bangsamoro Parliament complemented program implementation with landmark measures strengthening public welfare, healthcare, workforce protection, and institutional development. Key enactments included Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 83 establishing the Bangsamoro Nutrition Commission; BAA No. 81 institutionalizing the Salamat Excellence Award for Leadership (SEAL); and BAA No. 72 granting seven-day forfeitable bereavement leave for public and private employees. Six edicts (BAA Nos. 73, 74, 75, 78, 79, and 80) were enacted to upgrade hospitals in Maguindanao, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi by expanding bed capacity and access to quality healthcare. Fiscal and governance continuity was reinforced through BAA No. 75, providing supplemental funds for government operations. The proposed districting bill remains under review. For 2026, BARMM bureaucracy workforces hope to sustain if not magnify its 2025 feats in governance, economy, infrastructure, education, and humanitarian services. The regional government has a P114-billion appropriation for 2026, representing a P19 billion increase over the current budget of P94.41 billion, with the usual priority attention to education, health, infrastructure, and social services. Chief Minister Macacua inked the 2026 budget law with a call for prudent public finance and sustained service delivery in pursuit of the moral governance goal of the regional bureaucracy. “We hope to ensure that reforms and resources translate into improvements in the lives of Bangsamoro families. With leadership continuity, sustained public trust, and expanded record achievements, our vision for better autonomy can be realized,” the chief minister was quoted as saying.