Poverty rates among families in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) saw a continued decline, dropping from 28% in 2021 to 23.5% in 2023, based on the recent findings published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Local leaders credited the progress to growing economic prospects and persistent structural reforms spearheaded by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), noting that these efforts have elevated living conditions and strengthened socio-economic stability throughout the territory.
BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua highlighted that establishing the BTA extended far beyond forming a new regional administration.
“It has always been about building institutions capable of delivering meaningful and lasting change for the Bangsamoro people. While we recognize that much work remains, these developments encourage us to continue pursuing reforms that promote peace, good governance, and inclusive growth,” Macacua said.
Following BARMM’s inception in 2019, the interim leadership has passed fundamental regional statutes and established dedicated ministries and oversight frameworks designed to boost public service efficiency and administrative accountability.
Key legislative milestones passed by the BTA include the Bangsamoro Administrative Code, Local Governance Code, Civil Service Code, Electoral Code, and Education Code.
Lawyer Kitem Duque Kadatuan Jr., a Member of Parliament and chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Management, attributed the poverty reduction to responsible fiscal policies and persistent institutional development.
He stressed that building a functional government goes beyond enacting laws.
“It requires institutions that are transparent, accountable, and capable of delivering services that improve people’s lives.”
Kadatuan noted that preserving this upward momentum requires steady funding for healthcare, education, farming, infrastructure, job creation, and community livelihoods so that economic gains reach all corners of BARMM.
He further underscored that fortifying public governance remains central to the territory’s long-term strategy, pointing out that the regional government remains focused on upgrading public agencies, raising transparency, drawing investors, and expanding the reach of essential services.
”Our responsibility does not end with building institutions. It continues with ensuring that every reform we pursue creates meaningful and lasting benefits for the Bangsamoro people,” Kadatuan said.