BTA-BARMM approves P65.3-B budget for 2020

INCLUSIVE BUDGET --- Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority led by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Chief Minister Ahod “Murad’ Ebrahim (center with black Muslim cap) flashes the peace sign after signing (inset) last November 30 the P65.3-billion BARMM budget for fiscal year 2020.  (PHOTOS COURTESY OF BTA-BARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

COTABATO CITY -- Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has approved a P65.3-billion budget for the fiscal year 2020 with the education sector getting the biggest share of the allotment.

In a statement, the BTA said it has approved on third and final reading the 2020 regional budget on November 30 after thorough deliberations.

BTA-Cabinet Bill No. 31 entitled, "An Act Appropriating Funds for the Operation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from January 1 to December 31, 2020, and Other Purposes," was approved by the BTA with 48 “yes” votes, one “no” vote, and five abstentions.

“This is inclusive for all the Bangsamoro people,” BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim said, as he signed into law on the same day the first-ever Bangsamoro Appropriations Act (BAA).

The BAA FY 2020 contains the priority plans, projects, and programs of the Bangsamoro government.

Ebrahim described the budget document as "a fruit of the more than five decades of struggle of the Bangsamoro."

During his speech at the session, he told the BTA members to give justice to the sacrifices of the Bangsamoro constituency without an iota of greed and corruption.

"Remember that when we perform our actions with a pure heart and sincere intentions, Allah (SWT) has remarkable ways of making sure that everything will work out accordingly," Ebrahim added.

Before the budget approval, each of the Bangsamoro ministry and offices submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management their respective budget proposals.

After review and deliberation, Murad, with his Regional Cabinet, approved the proposals that were then crafted as the 2020 Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP).

The largest share in the 2020 BEP went to the Ministry of Education with a P19-billion budget.

“The education ministry will work to ensure that no Bangsamoro child is left behind in terms of education,” Murad said.

The BARMM’s maintenance and other operating expenses have been earmarked with P14 billion, while line-agencies have been given with P8-billion capital outlay.

Other offices that will get a big share of the budget are the Office of the Chief Minister, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Services, and the Ministry of Public Works.

The BARMM’s 2020 budget is twice the last budget of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) placed at some P33 billion in 2018.

The ARMM was abolished following the formation of the new and expanded BARMM through a two-part plebiscite held earlier this year.

The BARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur; the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; and the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato province. (NOEL PUNZALAN, PNA – COTABATO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)