President Marcos Leads P3.4B Project Distribution in BARMM, Silent on Peace Process
DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte (MindaNews / 22 July 2026) – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived at the 6ID Gym in Camp Siongco at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, overseeing the ceremonial distribution of P3.4 billion worth of projects and assistance to local governments and beneficiaries. In his seven-minute speech, he emphasized the “shared task” of building a “peaceful, stable, and prosperous Bangsamoro” but avoided mentioning the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) or the recent appointment of Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento as chair of the government’s Peace Implementing Panel.
Originally scheduled for Monday, the event was postponed due to security concerns raised by the Presidential Security Command. The visit came eight days before the start of the campaign period for the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election on September 14.
Of the P3.4 billion, P2.9 billion came from the Bangsamoro Government and P433 million from the National Government. The funds included P20 million per province for disaster relief and P30 million each for the Bangsamoro Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (BTUPAD) program. Marcos also highlighted the “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” (BBM) Program, allocating P200,000 per BARMM barangay—half for educational aid and half for community priorities.
Despite acknowledging progress in the Bangsamoro, Marcos mistakenly referred to BARMM as its predecessor, ARMM, during his speech. Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua stressed the region’s commitment to public service but noted the President’s silence on the peace process.
The BARMM transition period, extended multiple times, is set to end on October 30, 2026, when the first elected officials assume office. Meanwhile, the MILF awaits substantive engagement with the government panel under Sarmiento, following a “temporary pause” in peace talks. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
