EDUCATION IS getting P19 billion in the proposed 2020 budget of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the biggest share among all sectors. “(T)he Ministry of Education will work to ensure that no Bangsamoro child is left behind in terms of education,” Chief Minister Ahod Murad Ebrahim said in a statement on Tuesday. He presented the 2020 budget before the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on Monday. Under the proposed national budget for next year, BARMM is getting an allocation of P70.6 billion, including the P63.6 billion block grant that is provided under the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The rest covers P5 billion

for the special development fund, and P2 billion as the region’s share in national taxes. The BARMM, which replaced the ARMM, was established this year and will receive its first block grant in 2020. The BARMM will undergo a three-year transition period. Around P9 billion in next year’s regional budget will be spent for the creation of offices such as the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, Youth Commission, Sports Commission, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council, which will serve as a policy-making body.

MARAWI REHAB
Mr. Ebrahim said about P500 million in the regional budget has been allocated for Marawi City. “We have also allotted around P500 million to help in the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City,” he said, adding that they are hoping for a “sense of healing” for “our brothers and sisters there.” The Marawi rehabilitation program is being undertaken by the inter-agency Task Force Bangon Marawi, led by Eduardo D. del Rosario, chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, with the secretaries of Defence and Public Works and Highways. “We have crafted a Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP) consistent with our twelve-point priority agenda and our goal for moral governance,” Mr. Ebrahim said.

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