The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) successfully conducted the Public Financial Management Competency Program (PFMCP) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), capacitating PFM practitioners and executives from eight ministries of different provincial offices such as Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Maguindanao from October 16 to 20, 2023. 

Since 2018, the DBM, together with the BARMM Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management, in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been implementing major capacity-building activities to help and guide the Bangsamoro Government in establishing a sound PFM system.

“After all, we have the same Agenda for Prosperity. Together, let us secure a Future-Proof and Sustainable Economy where no Filipino is left behind, including and most importantly, the Bangsamoro,” DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in her virtual closing message.

Under the proposed FY 2024 national budget, P80.6 billion will be allotted for financial assistance to BARMM, including the P70.5 billion annual block Ggant and P5.3 billion for the PAMANA or the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program for infrastructure development.

Joining the program were DBM Region IX Director Mark Louie C. Martin and Region XII Director Akmad J. Usman; Commission on Audit Region IX Director Marisol Legaspi; SPIB Director John Aries S. Macaspac; Organization, Position Classification and Compensation Bureau Assistant Director Maria Lourdes Aganon; Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management Minister Atty. Ubaida C. Pacasem, and Bangsamoro Treasurer Naila Z. Dimaraw.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and JICA Senior Representative Ide Soichiro sent their messages of support to the participants through a recorded video.

The PFMCP was conducted by the DBM advocacy, communications, and training service (ACTS) and the DBM regional offices. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)