COTABATO CITY (November 4) — Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has proposed a record ₱114.07-billion budget for 2026, underscoring the region’s push to expand social services and speed up development as it prepares for a full transition to a regular government.
The proposed budget marks a ₱19.66-billion increase from this year’s ₱94.41-billion Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP) — the biggest funding request since the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was established in 2019.
Macacua presented the 2026 BEP to the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament during its regular session on October 29, led by Speaker Mohammad Yacob.
In his budget message, Macacua said the spending plan “aims to strengthen social services, accelerate development, and ensure continuity as BARMM transitions toward a regular government.”
Education, health, and infrastructure are set to receive the bulk of next year’s allocation.
The proposed increase reflects the regional government’s efforts to sustain peace and spur inclusive growth across the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as the cities of Marawi, Lamitan, and Cotabato.
The transition period of the Bangsamoro government is expected to end in 2028, after the first regular elections for regional officials.
