Cotabato City - The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has made remarkable strides in 2024, showcasing a commitment to inclusive development and addressing the region's most pressing challenges. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, the BARMM has achieved significant progress in education, healthcare, disaster response, economic growth, housing, and social welfare.

 

This is according to a statement released by the Bangsamo Information Office (BIO) on Sunday.

These achievements are reflected in the region's improved socio-economic indicators, with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reporting that BARMM is no longer the poorest region in the Philippines. Poverty incidence has significantly declined from 52.6 percent in 2018 to 23.5 percent in 2023.

 

Key Highlights of BARMM's Achievements in 2024:

 

- Education: Increased access to quality education with the hiring of thousands of teachers, expanded enrollment in K-12 and Alternative Learning programs, and the implementation of scholarship and support programs for students.

- Healthcare: Expanded healthcare services with the approval of four new hospitals, increased medical support for beneficiaries, and the implementation of programs to ensure zero-balance hospital billing.

- Disaster Response and Environment Protection: Provided assistance to displaced families and communities affected by disasters, implemented environmental protection programs, and passed a landmark law protecting the rights of internally displaced persons.

- Economic Growth and Livelihood Development: Supported families through various programs, facilitated work opportunities, boosted economic activity through trade fairs and investments, and improved governance and regulatory efficiency.

- Housing and Resettlement: Completed thousands of housing units for former combatants, displaced individuals, and marginalized communities.

- Social Welfare: Prioritized inclusive welfare programs for marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, solo parents, and orphaned children.

- Empowering Women, Children, and Youth: Launched initiatives to empower women, children, and youth through training, support programs, and educational campaigns.

- Support for Indigenous Peoples: Implemented targeted programs and passed the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples’ Act (BIPA) of 2024, recognizing their rights to ancestral lands, cultural preservation, and autonomy.

- Peace and Human Rights: Resolved clan feud cases, worked to eliminate child labor, provided legal aid and support to victims of human rights violations, and implemented programs to address trafficking and child protection.

- Marawi Rehabilitation: Continued to focus on housing, infrastructure, and essential services for internally displaced persons.

- E-Governance and Digital Literacy: Advanced e-Governance through the LeAPS Program, improving service delivery in Bangsamoro LGUs, and promoted digital literacy through training sessions.

 

The BARMM Parliament has approved a P94.41 billion budget for the 2025 Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP), focusing on sectors like education, infrastructure, health, and social services. This budget reflects the BARMM's commitment to continued development and its vision of "leaving no Bangsamoro behind."