Lacson urges nat’l gov’t to ensure timely delivery of commitments to BARMM

MIDSAYAP, Cotabato — The national government should ensure the timely delivery of its commitments to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson also urged the government to accelerate the integration program in the BARMM to address the problem of insurgency in the area.

"Sa BARMM, dapat i-accelerate ang integration program. We've been in touch with [Presidential Adviser on Peace Process] Secretary [Carlito Galvez Jr.] kasi meron namang pondo para diyan minsan nababagalan—'yung integration," he said.

(The integration program in BARMM must be accelerated...there are funds for that, but the integration is sometimes slow.)

According to Lacson, there were many firearms that were supposed to be given to the government but only a "minuscule" number was surrendered.

"'Yung integration program, medyo delayed. I think it is an obligation on the part of the national government to make good ‘yung promise natin sa BARMM na i-accelerate natin ang integration plus ‘yung livelihood programs na nakapaloob doon sa peace talks na ginawa natin sa MILF [our promise to BARMM to accelerate integration and the livelihood programs included in the peace talks that we conducted with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front],” the presidential candidate added.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law was a product of the peace agreement between the government and the former separatist group MILF inked in 2014.

The ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in February 2019 via a plebiscite paved the way for the creation of the BARMM and abolished the old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The creation of BARMM,  which includes Cotabato City, 63 barangays in the municipalities of  Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan and Pikit in North Cotabato, Sulu except Isabela City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi, granted the region expanded land and water jurisdiction, fiscal autonomy, increased share in national government resources, among others.

For his part, vice presidential candidate Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the government must pursue the strengthening of education programs in the region.

The Lacson and Sotto tandem visited Midsayap and Mlang, Cotabato today.

Their multi-sector meetings were hosted by senatorial candidate Manny Piñol.

Prior to their activities, they paid a courtesy call on Mlang Municipal Mayor Russel Abonado.

The tandem is also set to visit General Santos City tomorrow.

According to the data of the Commission on Elections, Cotabato has 857,486 votes for Eleksyon 2022 while General Santos City has 360,232. — BM, GMA News