Maguindanao del Norte – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has taken a significant step towards technology-driven governance with the launch of its first digital governance center in Maguindanao del Norte. The center, established under the Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) Program, was inaugurated on Monday in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

This initiative, a collaboration between the BARMM and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to bring public services closer to residents through efficient and accessible digital solutions.

 

Lawyer Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister and Member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, underscored the program’s importance in enhancing service delivery. 

"We are not waiting for the future to come to us; we are building it, one digital breakthrough at a time,” she said.

 

The Datu Blah Sinsuat facility is the third digital center in BARMM, following the successful implementation of similar centers in Butig and Piagapo, Lanao del Sur. These centers have streamlined access to government services, reduced bureaucratic processes, and ensured faster, more transparent transactions.

 

Datu Blah Mayor Marshall Sinsuat highlighted the center’s role in bridging service gaps in remote areas. 

"This digital center will empower our people by simplifying government processes and making essential services readily available," Sinsuat said.

 

Edwine Carrie, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing digital governance in BARMM. 

"Our collaboration with MILG through LeAPS is about putting technology at the service of the people. This is not just about infrastructure; it’s about building a governance system that is efficient, inclusive, and sustainable," Carrie said.

 

The center is expected to serve as a model for future e-governance initiatives, ensuring equitable access to government services for BARMM communities, especially in geographically isolated areas.