AHOD Ebrahim, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao chief minister, believes the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will approve the proposed P85.3-billion BARMM budget for next year.
“The proposed budget will hopefully bring us to that point in the future when connected from this point where we are now, will draw a line of sustained progress,” Ebrahim said on Wednesday, September 28.
Under the proposed allocation, filed by Ebrahim on Monday, the largest portion is allotted for the social services sector with a P36.9-billion budget.
He stated that the regional government also prioritizes programs on education, culture and manpower development; subsidies to local government units; social security, welfare and employment; and health.
“This plan will hopefully transform BARMM to become a better environment for our people who shall enjoy the benefits of a better economy,” Ebrahim said.
The second highest allocated budget, at more than P28 billion, is for maintenance of public order and safety, political administration, law enforcement and general administration such as general government, fiscal affairs, civil service and lawmaking functions.
Furthermore, Ebrahim proposed a total of P19.9 billion to fund interventions in communications, roads and transportation facilities; agriculture, agrarian reform and natural resources; water resources development and flood control; trade and industry; power and energy; and tourism.
About P250 million is allotted for the peace and stability sector.
“As enablers of socioeconomic development, the peace and stability sector focuses its efforts on promoting a peaceful and an inclusive Bangsamoro society for sustainable development with access to justice and establishment of effective and accountable institutions,” Ebrahim said.
He called on his colleagues in the BTA to work together in making sure that the regional government’s plans are expressed in the proposed budget.
The BARMM’s main source of revenue is the block grant, which is automatically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act to the Bangsamoro, and released immediately and comprehensively to the Bangsamoro government.
The grant is equivalent to 5 percent of the net national internal revenue tax collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs in the third fiscal year preceding the current fiscal year.
The government’s Special Development Fund, as stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, has become a source of funds for Bangsamoro development initiatives across the region.