BARMM (File photo)
PH | Government tries to get P80-6B for BARMM development in 2024 | MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday that the Marcos government wants to give PHP80,6 billion to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2024 to help fund its projects and programmes.
Under the 2024 National Expenditure Programme, about PHP70.5 billion of the proposed PHP80.6 billion will go to the BARMM’s Annual Block Grant, PHP5 billion will go to the Special Development Fund, and the remaining PHP5.1 billion will go to the region’s share of national taxes, fees, and charges, as required by Republic Act 11054.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that PHP5.3 billion would be set aside to fully implement the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Programme, which focuses on building infrastructure in places like BARMM that are remote and have been through a lot of fighting.
Pangandaman said that the PAMANA Programme would be run by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.
“The PAMANA Programme includes a budget of PHP5 billion that is set aside for building and improving social infrastructure facilities,” she said.
Out of the PHP5 billion, PHP4.21 billion will be used to build and maintain roads and bridges; PHP569 million will go towards making water supply systems more efficient; PHP176 million will be used to set up safe evacuation centres; and PHP35 million will be used to build fish ports.
Pangandaman said that an extra PHP10 million would be given to build and maintain flood control systems that work well.
She also said that about PHP 5 million would be spent on the BARMM community’s business needs.
“The national government supports the creation of a Section Level Unit under the Professional Regulations Commission Regional Office XII for the BARMM. This is because of the Bangsamoro community’s untapped vocational skills and potential for skill development,” Pangandaman said.
“[The requirements] include applications for the first registration of PRC licences, renewals, registrations for professional exams, requests for certifications and authentications, and the administration of exams,” she said.
Victims of the Marawi Siege will get money
Pangandaman said that around PHP1 billion would be set aside for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Programme as part of the Marcos administration’s promise to keep fixing up and remaking Marawi.
Pangandaman said that the plan would make it possible for the Marawi pay Board to give tax-free pay to all claimants who lost property or personal belongings because of the 2017 Marawi Siege.
Pangandaman said that giving PHP80,6 billion to BARMM shows that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will keep his promise to support peace and development in the area.
“We would always say that the goal of our Agenda for Prosperity is to give the country a bright future in which no Filipino is left behind. “By all, we mean everyone in the Philippines, even those who are Muslim,” she said. “We’re hoping that with this budget, we’ll be able to keep building on what we’ve already done.”(via PNA)
