MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- A weeklong celebration to mark the fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) kicked off in Marawi City on January 22.

The event, which the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) organized together with the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), started with a parade from Marawi City Hall to the Marawi Convention Center, where a commemorative program took place.

Lawyer Paisalin Tago, MOTC Minister, stated that the BARMM government is bringing the weeklong celebration to the region's provinces to foster patriotism and pride among the Bangsamoro people in localities, reminding them of the sacrifices that led to the creation of BARMM.

"We are celebrating so that the Bangsamoro people can feel that there is an autonomous government that is now governing our area, and we must be proud of that," he said.

The opening program's highlights included motivational speeches from BARMM officials, including City Mayor Majul Gandamra, Deputy Chief Minister Ali Solaiman, and a few Members of Parliament (MP) who are from the province of Lanao del Sur.

During the program, Tago, also the deputy speaker of the BARMM Parliament, handed over P1.5 million to the Integrated Provincial Health Office. The amount will be used to buy medical supplies and materials as well as fund medical assistance programs. Wheelchairs, reading glasses, and medical supplies were likewise distributed to qualified beneficiaries.

Moreover, MHSD turned over a one-story human development center worth P7 million, intended to serve as a training center for youth, cooperatives, and farmers/fisheries associations in Masiu municipality.

The Ministry of Science and Technology's Provincial Office distributed STARBOOKs and laboratory apparatus to 13 schools, along with tablets for 19 scholars, under the Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education (BASE)-Merit Program.

Various ministries of the BARMM government also opened booths at the Marawi Convention Center, providing free services to walk-in clients until January 26, 2024.

To recall, the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law through the plebiscite held on January 21, 2019 paved the way for the creation of the BARMM. The BARMM government proclaimed January 21 as Bangsamoro Foundation Day in honor of this historic occasion, and a weeklong celebration followed.

This year, the celebration carries the theme “A Journey Towards Mutual Understanding, Peaceful Co-existence, and a Shared Future in the Bangsamoro.” (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)