COTABATO CITY (March 16) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), calling for unity and sustained commitment to peace even as the region faces continuing governance and political challenges.
Speaking during the Grand Iftar 2026 hosted at Malacañang Palace, Marcos said the national government remains committed to strengthening what he described as a “people-centered governance system” in the Bangsamoro region.
“This administration remains fully supportive of creating a people-centered governance system in the Bangsamoro region. Our work is not yet done,” Marcos said during the gathering held in observance of Ramadan.
The president stressed that the gains of the peace process must translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of Bangsamoro communities.
“Peace must not exist only in signed agreements—it must be felt in everyday life,” he said.
Autonomy Still a Work in Progress
The Bangsamoro autonomous government was established in 2019 under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, replacing the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as part of a historic peace agreement between the Philippine government and Moro revolutionary groups.
While the region has largely avoided the large-scale armed clashes that once plagued Mindanao, analysts note that BARMM continues to face major hurdles, including poverty, weak institutions, and the difficult transition from revolutionary movements to civilian governance.
The autonomous government remains under an interim arrangement, with the Bangsamoro Parliament appointed rather than elected.
The region is expected to hold its first parliamentary elections in 2025, widely seen as a crucial test of whether the new political system can sustain democratic legitimacy and inclusive governance.
Trust and Political Cooperation
BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said the Grand Iftar symbolized a moment of trust-building between national leaders and Bangsamoro officials.
Macacua noted that President Marcos initially suggested holding the Ramadan gathering in a hotel in Metro Manila but later decided to host it at the Palace, giving the event a more symbolic significance.
“In BARMM, trust has always been the foundation of progress,” Macacua said, expressing hope that the spirit of Ramadan would reinforce cooperation among leaders.
The Bangsamoro delegation included members of the interim Parliament led by Speaker Mohammad Yacob, along with regional ministers and provincial leaders from across the autonomous region.
Among those present were Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto-Adiong Jr., Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali, Maguindanao del Norte Governor Tucao Mastura, and Maguindanao del Sur Governor Ali Midtimbang.
Peace Dividends Still Uneven
Despite the optimism surrounding the Bangsamoro transition, observers say the region must still demonstrate that autonomy can deliver concrete economic and social gains.
The Bangsamoro region remains among the poorest in the Philippines, with infrastructure gaps, limited investment, and persistent security concerns in some areas.
For many residents, the promise of the peace agreement lies not only in political autonomy but also in the long-awaited delivery of basic services, jobs, and development opportunities.
As Marcos noted during the gathering, sustaining the peace process will require patience and continued dialogue.
“The journey toward peace and meaningful self-governance is never simple,” the president said. “It requires patience, honest dialogue, and the courage to believe that reconciliation is always possible.”
For the Bangsamoro leadership, the coming years will likely determine whether the region’s autonomy can fulfill the expectations raised by decades of struggle for self-determination.
