Cotabato City, November 21, 2024 — The Bangsamoro Government has expressed its full support for Presidential Directive No. PBBM-2024-1244, which ensures the continued delivery of public services in Sulu following its exclusion from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The directive was issued by the Office of the President through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on November 18, 2024.
In a statement, Chief Minister Hon. Ahod Ebrahim reaffirmed the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of the people of Sulu. Despite the Supreme Court decision excluding Sulu from BARMM, Ebrahim assured that services and programs for the province will remain uninterrupted.
“In anticipation of this Directive, the Bangsamoro Government has already included programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) for Sulu in the Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP) 2025,” the statement read.
The Bangsamoro Government also extended its gratitude to the Office of the President for acting promptly on the matter, while expressing hope for a favorable resolution to the motions for reconsideration filed regarding the Supreme Court decision.
Ebrahim emphasized the importance of a smooth transition, pledging close coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and other stakeholders to implement the directive in compliance with existing laws.
“As we move forward, we call for unity and cooperation among all sectors to safeguard the gains of peace and development in the Bangsamoro region,” he added, underscoring the government’s commitment to serve the Bangsamoro people, including those affected by the region’s changing jurisdiction.
The statement concludes with a call to protect the progress achieved in the region, emphasizing peace and development as priorities amidst the evolving political landscape.
