ZAMBOANGA CITY (February 10) — The National Government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have assured residents of Sulu that salaries, schooling, and social services will continue without disruption as the province transitions to the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The assurance was made during a meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Sulu Transition on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, where national and BARMM officials finalized funding and administrative arrangements to keep frontline services stable under Executive Order No. 91, s. 2025.
The meeting was held at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and was co-presided by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando U. Toledo and BARMM Deputy Minister of the Interior and Local Government Eddie Alih. Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur M. Tan represented the provincial government.
Teachers’ pay, school operations secured
Education—one of the most critical services in Sulu—was placed at the center of the transition plan.
BARMM will continue paying the salaries of basic education teachers and personnel in Sulu for fiscal year 2026, ensuring that no educator experiences a pay gap during the transition. Administrative supervision will be jointly handled by BARMM and the Department of Education (DepEd).
To keep classrooms running, the National Government, through DepEd, will shoulder Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), covering daily school needs such as utilities, supplies, and minor repairs.
The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE)-BARMM, DepEd, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) are set to issue a joint memorandum to clarify school supervision and reporting arrangements in Sulu.
Teachers and school personnel from the Schools Division Office of Sulu, LAPAK, and Hadji Butu School of Arts and Trades will continue reporting to BARMM while salary, wage, and benefits requirements are processed through MBHTE-BARMM.
Social protection services remain in place
For families relying on government assistance, officials stressed that social protection programs will remain uninterrupted.
Personnel of the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in Sulu will stay under MSSD-BARMM supervision until new positions are created and employees exercise their options under the forthcoming Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC).
This arrangement aims to prevent delays in the delivery of welfare programs and community-based social services.
Protecting workers during transition
To safeguard the rights and benefits of affected employees, the Civil Service Commission will provide technical guidance on the draft JMC being prepared by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, DBM, the Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office, and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Management.
‘People of Sulu come first’
DBM Secretary Toledo said the transition is designed to shield ordinary Suluanos from uncertainty.
“This transition is not about lines on a map. It is about the daily lives of teachers, learners, public servants, and families in Sulu. Our goal is to make sure salaries are paid on time, schools stay open, and essential services continue without disruption,” Toledo said.
Deputy Minister Alih emphasized that BARMM remains committed to maintaining stability in Sulu throughout the transition.
“What matters most is that the people of Sulu feel supported and secure. We are working closely with the National Government so this transition is steady, inclusive, and responsive to local needs,” Alih said.
