THE ADMINISTRATION’S economic managers will represent the national government in the fiscal policy body formed to assist the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with revenue generation.
In a statement Wednesday, the Department of Finance (DoF) said Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III will co-chair the Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB) along with BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
Also representing the national government on the board are Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia, Budget Acting Secretary Wendel E. Avisado and Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
BARMM representatives on the board are Minister Abu Amri Taddik, Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, Deputy Speaker Hatamil Hassan, Mohajirin Ali, and Said Salendab.
Finance Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin said the IFPB will first meet in the third week of March.
Citing a report presented during a recent meeting, DoF Legal Group Director IV Jesus Nathaniel B. Gonzales said the national government representatives have agreed to appoint a point person for each of the agencies for better coordination.
The National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), tasked to coordinate and resolve issues between the national government and the autonomous region, convened its first meeting in december last year in Davao City.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will provide the joint secretariat of the IGRB, handling administrative requirements and documenting the meetings of the intergovernmental body.
“The IGRB is tasked to exhaust all means to resolve issues brought before it, which include the effective implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the national programs and projects of the national government in the BARMM. It also aims to resolve territorial issues, and issues of devolution and jurisdiction; and the creation of the other intergovernmental relations mechanisms enumerated under the BOL,” the DoF said. — Beatrice M. Laforga
