Davao City — The Bangsamoro Government’s Office for Other Bangsamoro Communities (OOBC) has called on Bangsamoro residents living outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to submit proposed programs, particularly those aimed at socio-economic development, for possible support and intervention.
The appeal was made during a three-day needs assessment and mapping workshop held from May 6 to 8 at the Bajada Suites Conference Hall in Davao City. The activity brought together representatives from government agencies, non-government organizations, and civil society groups to gather critical information and assess the needs of Bangsamoro communities residing outside the BARMM territory.
OOBC Executive Director Noron Andan emphasized the significance of the event in laying the groundwork for responsive policies and programs.
“This activity will provide a strong foundation for us to recommend policies that can advance the socio-economic and cultural development of Bangsamoro communities in the Davao region,” said Andan. He also stressed the importance of inclusive dialogue: “We need to listen to the voices of all sectors, especially those representing women—not only in terms of gender and development, but also in relation to the full exercise of their rights and their role in our community’s development.”
Andan acknowledged the vast mandate of OOBC, which covers Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, the Caraga Region, and Palawan, despite its relatively modest size and resources compared to other ministries.
“I see this day as a good starting point for the OOBC. Our office may be small, but our coverage is vast,” he said.
To address funding limitations, Andan also announced that a draft bill titled “Assistance to Other Bangsamoro Communities” has been filed. The measure seeks to secure a dedicated budget allocation for OOBC, enabling it to implement programs and projects independently, rather than relying solely on BARMM ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), and Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG).
The workshop also served as a venue for local leaders to voice their community’s experiences and aspirations. Ahmad Jovany Mustapha, Ancestral Domain Management Officer and tribal leader from Davao Oriental, shared the tangible impact of BARMM’s assistance on their lives.
“Programs like AMBAG medical assistance, where 100% of our hospital bills were covered, TABANG, and the almost completed 100-unit housing project under KAPYANAN have been a huge help to us,” said Mustapha. “The promise that no one will be left behind has been fulfilled. We were not forgotten.”
Mustapha, however, underscored the need for more sustainable and long-term solutions.
“Sometimes livelihood programs succeed, sometimes they fail. What we really need is long-term support. I hope our ancestral domain claim as Kagans can be supported so we can stand on our own and not rely solely on BARMM’s assistance. Sustainable development is the best kind of help for us,” he said.
The workshop was further enriched by the participation of several national agencies, including the National Housing Authority (NHA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). Their involvement strengthened the collaborative effort to address the complex and varied needs of Bangsamoro communities outside the region.
The OOBC reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Bangsamoro communities beyond BARMM’s borders are heard, supported, and empowered through inclusive, sustainable development.