Minister Ubaida Pacasem; fellow Cabinet Secretaries; representatives from the Bangsamoro Government: Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.

It was a privilege to work alongside the people of Bangsamoro in crafting the Bangsamoro Organic Law during my time in the Senate.

And now, as Secretary of Finance, I am honored to join you at the Seventh Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board meeting, where we finalize the Bangsamoro Government’s revenue code.

In his recent SONA, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. reported that all inter-governmental mechanisms of the BARMM have been organized and activated.

This is a clear reflection of the coherent and supportive relationship between the National Government and the Bangsamoro Government in realizing our shared goal of greater fiscal autonomy, self-governance, and lasting peace for the people in BARMM.

In today’s meeting, I am eager to finalize the tax administration and other tax-related policy guidelines for BARMM, which are all crucial to achieving genuine development and fiscal autonomy for the region. As early as now, BARMM must be digital-ready to enhance its revenue mobilization efforts.

I am also looking forward to the approval of the proposed guidelines on how BARMM can secure official development assistance from our foreign partners that will support its inclusive and sustainable progress.

Rest assured, the Department of Finance is fully committed to empowering BARMM with sound fiscal and economic policies to ensure the region’s long-term sustainability and realize the most hopeful expectations of the Bangsamoro people.

Muli, maraming salamat po. Mabuhay po kayo, at mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas.