(Pleasantries)
This is a day of great moment for the peace and progress of Mindanao.
Today, we are holding the first meeting of the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body. This is a major step forward in realizing the substantial and functional autonomy envisioned in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The establishment of this Body underscores the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte to the achievement of a just and lasting peace in Mindanao. It provides an institutional mechanism for sustained cooperation and coordination between the agencies established by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM and those of the National Government. It is mandated to coordinate and resolve issues on intergovernmental relations through regular consultations and continuing non-adversarial negotiations. It allows a mechanism for benchmarking the standards of good governance for all our agencies and ministries.
Through this Intergovernmental Relations Body, we hope to achieve informed and constructive discussions aimed at exploring the best plausible solutions to transform points of differences into points of cooperation between the National Government and Bangsamoro Government. This will ensure that our policies and programs are service-oriented, people-centric, and transformative to bring tangible benefits and real change to the lives of the people in this region.
I am confident that we will be able to thresh out the protocols and procedures as we go along. What is important is that we commence with the work of this vital institutional mechanism as well as move forward with the consolidation of all the institutions of regional autonomy.
This is a historic initiative closely observed by concerned countries all over the world. I am confident that there is enough reserve of goodwill among the collaborating parties to make this initiative a success.
On behalf of the National Government, I thank the Bangsamoro Government represented ably by Minister Mohagher Iqbal for their commitment in this endeavor.
Now, may I invite the participants of this meeting to begin working on the matters we have scheduled. Our people have invested so much in the dream of peace and prosperity for Mindanao. We cannot let them down. Thank you.
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