COTABATO CITY — The eight newly created municipalities in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are set to benefit from programs aimed at instilling moral values in local governance.
On Sunday, March 30, eight officers were officially sworn in as moral values officers for the eight municipalities. The oath-taking ceremony was led by SGA Development Administrator (SGADA) and newly appointed Member of Parliament Butch Malang.
Malang emphasized the importance of strong moral foundations in public service, saying this is key to achieving genuine nation-building.
“Upholding proper conduct and Islamic standards is key to building a more humane and just society,” Malang said.
The newly designated officers are tasked with implementing a moral recovery program aligned with national directives and the Bangsamoro Government’s moral governance advocacy.
Engr. Zubair Guiaman, moral values officer under SGADA, said these individuals will lead the institutionalization of values-based policies and activities across the municipalities.
“These eight employees, each representing the eight municipalities in SGA, will spearhead programs and policies focusing on moral recovery efforts,” Guiaman explained in a recorded interview.
He further emphasized that their appointment is a strategic move to help ensure the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to good and moral governance is realized on the ground.
“These individuals will help us ensure that the moral governance advocacy is institutionalized and strengthened,” Guiaman added.
The SGA consists of 63 barangays that opted to join BARMM through a 2019 plebiscite. Formerly part of the municipalities of Carmen, Kabacan, Pikit, Aleosan, Midsayap, and Pigcawayan in Cotabato Province, the area now stands as a separate territory under BARMM.
In 2024, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) passed laws establishing eight municipalities in the SGA. Following a successful plebiscite, officers-in-charge for mayoral and council posts were appointed to lead the newly formed local governments.
With the rollout of these moral values programs, the BARMM leadership hopes to further cultivate ethical leadership and responsive public service across the emerging municipalities.