COTABATO CITY — Resonating sounds, harmonious yells, and rich, vibrant cultural heritage filled the air in Cotabato City as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao officially commenced its 5th anniversary today, the 21st day of January, at the Bangsamoro Government Center Grounds.
It was a grand showcase of pride and victory as employees from different ministries and offices in the Bangsamoro Government, together with the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), gathered in unison to confidently flaunt the spectacle of ocean hues of green during a parade from Sardonyx Plaza to BGC Grounds, avcılarda otel and most especially, to celebrate the 5th Bangsamoro Foundation Day that conveys this year’s theme, “A Journey Towards Mutual Understanding, Peaceful Co-Existence, and a Shared Future in the Bangsamoro.”
“Our theme is not just a collective [word]; it [stands] as a powerful testament to our identity as a peace-loving region,” Senior Minister Abunawas L. Maslamama said in his opening statement.
Maslamama also emphasized that on this day, January 21st, way back in 2019, the people of Bangsamoro resoundingly ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law. He said that the five-year service of the region has fruited substantial changes in different sectors, including the economic, social, infrastructure, peace and public safety, security, and development administration or governance sector.
“The Bangsamoro Government has made significant strides in uplifting the life of our people. We harnessed cultural diversity, ensured inclusivity, aimed for overall development, and strived for moral governance,” Maslamama went on to say.
Maslamama then ended his testament by reminding Bangsamoro that the celebration should attract more effective energy, open new progress, and development, and pour a bounty of blessings from Allah.
On one hand, a symbolic banging of the ‘Gong’ kicked off, headed by Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, Senior Minister Abunawas L. Maslamama, and BTA Deputy Speaker Atty. Omar Yasser Sema.
The ceremonial activity echoes the beginning of a weeklong celebration, carrying the essence of unity, harmony, and solidarity in honor of the 5-year-old establishment of the Bangsamoro.
“Our journey towards building an empowered, cohesive, and progressive Bangsamoro continues to build with positivity and inspiration,” Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim delightedly remarked during his anniversary message.
Ebrahim said that the theme speaks volumes of the Bangsamoro’s collective aspirations for their beloved homeland.
“Kung wala sila [Mujahideen], hindi natin makakamit, and with the blessings of Allah, itong mga nakamit natin ngayon… Maraming salamat sa inyong [Mujahideen] lahat,” Ebrahim emphasized.
Chief Minister Ebrahim said that the past does not define what lies ahead.
“This year is the last extended year of the transition period. Let us make the most out of the opportunity given to us to be of service to the people,” He concluded.
On the other hand, in line with the celebration, MENRE will continue to deliver its ENR-related services, to wit: distribution of seedlings and trash bins and providing land patents to deserving and qualified beneficiaries.
The said activity will take place on January 22 at the BGC Grounds.
Meanwhile, other BARMM Ministries will also organize various programs and services, such as medical outreach programs, notarization, literary competition, and free COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots, to name a few.
Furthermore, various ministries and offices will roll out their ceremonial turnover of services. These include the Turnover of Science Laboratory Apparatus by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ceremonial Launching of Sagip Paningin by the Ministry of Social Services and Development, and the distribution of Shelter Toolkits of Typhoon Paeng from the Ministry of Human Settlement and Development.
