Marcos: Continue livelihood, economic expansion in BARMM

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday underscored the need to continue expanding livelihood opportunities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In his attendance at the 7th Bangsamoro Foundation Day in Maguindanao del Norte, Marcos said there is still work that needs to be done despite the changes and gradual development in BARMM.

''As I was driving here from the airport, I was looking around and as I commented also to the Speaker and to the Chief Minister that gumaganda na ‘yung BARMM. And what I see is… And the feeling I get as I drive through Cotabato, the feeling I get is that there is change in the sentiment of the people and there is hope that future is going to be bright. And that I think could be one of the great achievements of what we are doing especially in forming the Bangsamoro government,'' Marcos said in his speech.

''So, let us continue to expand livelihood and economic opportunities in the BARMM. Let us raise the standard of living of every family in the region. And let us always prioritize the welfare of every Filipino,'' Marcos added.

The President expressed hope that the upcoming BARMM elections would serve as an ''opportunity for our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters to freely express their voices and aspirations.''

''We aspire to further strengthen a leadership that truly serves the people—one that reinforces democracy and accountability,'' he said.

To recall, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the postponement of the Bangsamoro elections originally scheduled for October 13 after declaring two districting laws—Bangsamoro Autonomy Acts (BAAs) 58 and 77—unconstitutional.

BAA 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Act of 2025, amended BAA 58 and redistricted vacant seats following an SC ruling excluding Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

The Commission on Elections then released the calendar of activities for the 2026 Bangsamoro elections, setting the inaugural polls on March 30.

Meanwhile, Marcos urged Bangsamoro residents to always choose unity and cooperation over division.

''In a very true sense, the Bangsamoro government will have a big advantage perhaps even over other regional governments and even the national government. Why do I say that? I say that because you are creating a government from a blank sheet – on a blank sheet of paper,'' Marcos said.

''You do not need to make the same mistakes that everybody else has done in the past,'' he added. 

He said it Bangsamoro residents have the opportunity to make their government into ''what exactly it is you want to make it.''

''And I am very, very optimistic, and I’m very excited for the four – almost four and a half million residents here in the Bangsamoro that I see for them – I am very excited for them because I know that the future will be bright and that the Bangsamoro people will flourish, will flourish as you collect the dividends of peace,'' Marcos said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News