Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim. (Photo courtesy of BPI-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY -- The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (BARMM) kicked off Tuesday a budget forum for the year 2021, dubbed as “2021 Bangsamoro Budget Call”.
BARMM's Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management (MFBM) reminded all regional ministry offices and agencies to plan their budget according to the eight development goals in the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP).
“This aims to uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro and establish the foundations of self-governance through moral governance,” Ebrahim said during his speech at the forum.
The 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the region’s law-making body, approved the BDP for 2020-2022 last week.
The development goals include the establishment of foundations for inclusive, transparent, accountable, and efficient governance; to uphold peace, security, public order and safety, and respect for human rights; create a favorable enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable economic development; and promote Bangsamoro identity, cultures, and diversity.
The development goals also seek to ensure access to and delivery of quality services for human capital development; harness technology and innovations to increase socio-economic opportunities and improve government services; Increase strategic and climate-resilient infrastructure to support sustainable socio-economic development in the Bangsamoro region, among others.
On July 3, the MFBM released Bangsamoro Budget Memorandum No. 2020-01 or the Bangsamoro Budget Call for the Fiscal Year of 2021 that signaled the first of the four-phased budget cycle of the region.
Ebrahim also noted the regional government’s adoption of the Cash Budgeting System as well as the consolidation of autonomous regional government funds to the Single Treasury Account, among others.
“This strengthens the focus and accountability of the government,” Ebrahim said. “Making sure all targeted operations are on schedule, all budget entrusted are fully disbursed within the fiscal year.”
Last year, the BTA passed the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 3, the legislation which appropriated the funds for the operation of the Bangsamoro government for 2020.
The appropriations act is the “lay down” of all the available funds allotted to each ministry and office in the BARMM.
The 2020 legislation was crafted anchoring the 12-Point Priority Agenda of the interim BARMM chief minister as aligned with President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s 0+10 Point Socio-Economic Agenda and the Philippine Development Plan. (PNA)
