The European Union joined the Bangsamoro government today at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Chief Minister’s satellite office in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
The construction of the new office will be funded by the EU’s Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) program, which accompanies the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA)’s work to set the legal and institutional framework for the governance of the region.
The establishment of the satellite office in Tawi-Tawi is a clear signal of the Bangsamoro government’s resolve to improve the delivery of government services throughout the region.
Reiterating the EU’s support for the aspirations of the Bangsamoro region, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc VĂ©ron said, “We are proud to stand with the Bangsamoro government as they work towards peace and development. This office is a symbol of our solidarity and shared goals.”
For his part, Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim spoke of the transformative potential of the new office and tagged it as a renewal of their pledge to serve the public with greater fervor and dedication in pursuit of moral governance.
Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. highlighted the national government’s support and stressed, “The opening of this satellite office underlines our dedication to peace, reconciliation, and unity in the Bangsamoro region. It’s about bringing the government closer to the people, making sure their voices are heard and their needs are met.”
Also present during the event were Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta, Province of Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael I. Sali, and Municipality of Bongao Mayor Jimuel S. Que.
SUBATRA is a five-year program funded by the European Union, through an agreement with the Philippine government, with a value of EUR26 million or over PHP1.5 billion.
SUBATRA contributes to a smooth and timely undertaking of the transition through capacity building of the three branches of the Bangsamoro government (executive, legislative and judicial) and civil society organizations. This is seen to promote an enabling good governance environment and support the efficient implementation of policies set up by the transition plan, focusing on capacities critical for the sound functioning of interim institutions that include: 1) capacity of the BTA’s executive branch superstructure to drive and coordinate key transitional policies; 2) capacity of the parliament to exercise its law-making and oversight functions; 3) capacity of the justice system to adjudicate litigations and improve access to justice; and 4) capacity of the civil society to contribute to a peaceful transition to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
