Muslim budget chief urges ‘unity’ for Mindanao

The only Filipina Muslim member of President Marcos’ Cabinet expressed optimism about the future of Mindanao, emphasizing the need for national focus and unity to ensure its bright prospects.

Amid calls to separate Mindanao from the Philippines, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, who is also a Maranao princess, expressed pride in the ongoing efforts to develop the region.

“Along with our leaders in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), we have been working very hard to maintain and sustain peace in Mindanao while developing the region into a land of prosperity,” Pangandaman said in a statement.

“I am happy to report that for the first time, all seven mechanisms of the IGRB have been activated in less than a year, including holding for the first time the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum,” she added.

Pangandaman serves as co-chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), which is tasked with managing the relationship between the Bangsamoro regional government and the Philippine national government.

“We have also established the Professional Regulation Commission regional/satellite office in BARMM, as well as the recognition of the Bangsamoro Land Transportation Office,” Pangandaman said.

“We are even commemorating the establishment of Islam in the Philippines, to emphasize the importance of our Muslim heritage in  Philippine history,” she added.

According to the  budget chief, these efforts are intended to position Mindanao as a good example of peace and development in the Philippines.

“The future of Mindanao is bright and as long as we stay focused and united, I am confident that our dreams for the economic transformation and upliftment of this region will be fulfilled,” Pangandaman said.

Earlier, former president Rodrigo Duterte declared his support for the separation of Mindanao from the Philippines.

Duterte said that he has tasked Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, a former House speaker, to gather signatures in pursuit of this objective.

However, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said that any attempt to split any part of the Philippines would face strong resistance. 

Año, along with another former member of the previous administration’s Cabinet, said they opposed the idea of separating Mindanao from the rest of the country. — Chino S. Leyco