Gov’t rolls out ₱3.4-B projects, aid package for BARMM communities

COTABATO CITY  (July 24)  — The national government has rolled out around ₱3.4 billion in projects and assistance for communities in the Bangsamoro region, with a large portion earmarked for conflict-affected families and programs aimed at boosting livelihoods and local economies.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the turnover on Wednesday, July 22, during the launch of the National Government–Bangsamoro Government Convergence Program, a new initiative designed to bring national agencies and Bangsamoro ministries closer together in delivering government services.

The program seeks to establish a whole-of-government approach in BARMM, allowing national and regional agencies to coordinate programs and streamline frontline services for communities.

The biggest component of the package is ₱1 billion for Project AMAL, or the Assistance for Mainstreaming and Advancement of Livelihoods, which targets conflict-affected communities and aims to help families rebuild their livelihoods.

The government also provided ₱150 million in local assistance and ₱100 million worth of prepositioned disaster supplies through the regional interior ministry.

Support for jobs, transport and tourism

The package also includes funding for local economic development.

Among the assistance are:

• ₱64 million for municipal tourism parks;
• ₱18.75 million in fuel subsidies for public transport drivers; and
• ₱15.74 million to help returning overseas Filipino workers reintegrate into their communities.

Government agencies also set up frontline service booths during the event, allowing residents to access government programs, enroll in services and process administrative requirements without having to visit multiple offices.

The turnover covered 23 projects across 15 Bangsamoro Ministries, Offices and Agencies, with 46 target groups identified as beneficiaries.

₱433 million in additional assistance

Marcos also distributed ₱433 million in financial assistance through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) for local development initiatives across the region.

The assistance covers a broad range of needs, including livelihood support, disaster preparedness, temporary employment, education, health care, housing, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, tourism infrastructure and social protection.

For communities still recovering from decades of conflict and underdevelopment, the government said the package is intended to strengthen access to services while creating opportunities for families to become more economically secure.

BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua welcomed the initiative and expressed support for Marcos’ vision of more inclusive governance.

“Together we will work as One Bangsamoro people para sa Mas Matatag na Bangsamoro at para sa Bagong Pilipinas. Let’s keep pushing forward! Indeed, together, we can make a difference for our Bangsamoro people,” Macacua said.

The convergence program comes as BARMM prepares for its first regular parliamentary elections, with the national and regional governments seeking closer coordination as the autonomous region moves toward a fully elected government.

For ordinary Bangsamoro communities, the success of the initiative will ultimately be measured not by the size of the funding package, but by how quickly the projects translate into livelihoods restored, services delivered and communities given a stronger chance to move forward.