BARMM’s ₱5.1B investments raise hopes—but will Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao benefit equally?

COTABATO CITY (May 6) — The Bangsamoro government is touting ₱5.1 billion in approved investments for the first half of 2026 as proof of rising investor confidence—but on the ground, questions are mounting over whether provinces like Sulu, Basilan, and Maguindanao will see real, lasting gains.

Figures from the Bangsamoro Information Office, citing the Bangsamoro Board of Investments, show that the projects are expected to generate 2,583 jobs. Officials describe the surge as a milestone for the region’s 7-year-old autonomous government.

But a closer look at where the money is going reveals an uneven landscape.

A large share of new approvals includes a ₱2.2 billion project in an island province—likely centered in more accessible or investment-ready areas—raising concerns that geographically isolated provinces such as Sulu and Basilan could again be left on the margins of development.

These provinces, long challenged by conflict, infrastructure gaps, and investor hesitancy, often struggle to attract large-scale capital despite having some of the region’s highest poverty rates. Without targeted incentives and risk-sharing mechanisms, analysts warn, investment flows may continue to cluster in safer, more developed zones.

In mainland areas like Maguindanao, where agriculture remains the backbone of local economies, smaller agribusiness projects have been approved—but their scale pales in comparison to capital-heavy ventures. While these smaller projects can generate jobs, they often lack the long-term financing and market access needed to transform local economies.

The question of job quality further complicates the picture. While over 2,500 jobs are projected, details remain scarce on wages, job security, and whether these opportunities will reach vulnerable sectors—particularly displaced families and communities recovering from past conflicts.

Tourism and wellness projects, some approved in Cotabato City, offer growth potential but also highlight a familiar gap: areas like Sulu and Basilan, rich in natural and cultural assets, remain largely untapped due to persistent security concerns and limited infrastructure investment.

For the administration of interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, the challenge is not just attracting investors, but directing them where they are most needed.

This means going beyond approvals—ensuring that investment incentives are tied to inclusive outcomes, requiring companies to hire locally, and building infrastructure that connects remote provinces to markets.

Transparency is another pressure point. While investment figures are rising, public reporting on project implementation, delivery timelines, and actual job creation remains limited. Without accessible monitoring systems, communities in far-flung provinces may find it difficult to track whether promised benefits materialize.

The ₱5.1 billion milestone builds on earlier approvals this year, but it also sharpens a fundamental question for BARMM’s transition: can investment-driven growth bridge long-standing regional inequalities—or will it deepen the divide between growth centers and underserved provinces?

For residents in Sulu, Basilan, and parts of Maguindanao, the answer will not be measured in billions—but in roads built, jobs sustained, and whether development finally reaches communities that have waited the longest.