The petitioners accused BARMM interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim of grave abuse of discretion, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-dominated Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) of going beyond its jurisdiction when it approved the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.

They said the region’s new law was an encroachment on the functions of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the SC itself, and would adversely affect the welfare and interest of political parties, voters, and taxpayers in BARMM.

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The petitioners include the following: 

• Dimnatang Pansar
• Abdul Rashid Balindong
• Shariefuddin Lucman
• Aleem Alibasher Abdullatif
• Jamil Paisal Adiong
• Rafnanjani Pendatun Ali
• Mohajeran Balayman
• Najia Pescadera
• Sharif Jul Asiri Abirin
• Abdul Muhaimin Abuhara
• Mohammad Salmann Sakili
• Sarid Hataman
• Harisul Samanul
• Sukarno Asri
• Mohammad Yusof Tidal

The newly-formed Bangsamoro Governors Caucus (BGC) backed the petition that was submitted to the High Tribunal by lawyers Romulo Macalintal, Antonio Carlos Bautista, and Christopher Rodriguez.

The 64-page petition, which represents several local government officials, civil society, traders, and political leaders in the BARMM, sought an SC ruling to declare the regional law null and void.

The petitioners also asked the SC to issue a status quo ante order or a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the new law.

A status quo ante order is meant to restore a situation to how it was before a particular event or dispute – in this case before the law’s passage – until a final decision is reached.

The electoral code was enacted by the BARMM’s interim parliament on March 8 and took effect on May 17.

The petitioners asked the high court to immediately take action on the matter in light of the forthcoming political exercises in the country.

Speaking for the BGC, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. said the majority of the BARMM’s provincial governors support the petition but denied they meant to undermine the current leadership in the autonomous region.

“The move in seeking the intervention of the Supreme Court is to validate the constitutionality and legality of regional laws which will help strengthen the rule of law in the Bangsamoro region. We just want to put things in proper order as these may affect the future of the region,” Adiong said.

The BGC, organized in Cagayan de Oro earlier this month, is composed of governors Abdusakur Tan of Sulu, Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, Ysmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi, and Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman of Basilan.

In December 2022, the five governors first questioned some provisions of the then-draft election code such as the powers bestowed on the then-proposed Bangsamoro Election Office (BEO), which they said surpassed the powers of the Comelec.

The petition also cited a provision in the BARMM’s new election law, which provided strict rules on the use of campaign funds, and partisan activities. 

In February, a month before the BTA approved the controversial code, a group of election experts and representatives of election watchdogs, warned that some provisions in the then-proposed law conflicted with the 1987 Constitution.

They suggested revisions in the then proposal, which is now the basis for the conduct of the elections in the BARMM. The region is scheduled to hold its first regional elections in 2025, two years after the barangay and youth elections set this October.

“The legislation of the electoral code must be pursued within the framework of the Constitution and national laws. Following the hierarchy of laws, the electoral code must be consistent, adherent, and compliant with the Constitution, national laws, and international law standards,” read part of their position paper early this year.

They questioned the provisions about an electoral tribunal, registration of political parties, the budget, and the powers of a regional electoral office to list and delist voters.

The experts had recommended the removal of the provision granting the Bangsamoro parliament’s electoral tribunal exclusive jurisdiction over election disputes, arguing that the Comelec should have sole authority instead. 

Instead, they had proposed empowering the BEO to conduct recounts, oversee hearings, and make recommendations to the Comelec on petition decisions.

They had also recommended the removal of a provision granting exclusive jurisdiction to a regional electoral tribunal to handle election disputes, arguing that the Constitution has mandated the Comelec to perform such a task. 

They had proposed empowering the electoral office to conduct recounts, oversee hearings, and provide recommendations to the Comelec regarding petition decisions instead.

Concerns had also been raised about a provision in the then-draft code granting the Bangsamoro Electoral Commission the authority to approve the registration and dissolution of political parties, citing potential constitutional issues. 

The experts had recommended treating the office as the reception and screening committee for party registrations under the supervision of the Comelec. They said it should have limited powers over party dissolution petitions that require final approval or reversal by the Comelec.

Experts had called for the removal of a provision in the proposed code that grants the BEO the authority to investigate voter list anomalies and delist voters, as they argued that such matters should be decided by courts, not the BEO. 

They pointed out that courts already have exclusive jurisdiction over voter list cases in their respective areas. 

The group of experts had also recommended revising the code’s budget provision to ensure any supplemental budget for the BEO goes through the Comelec first, as it potentially conflicts with the Comelec’s status as an independent constitutional commission.

The experts who came up with the position paper included former elections commissioner Luie Guia, former justice secretary Al Agra, former interior undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, former interior chief Anwar Malang of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and former Masbate governor Vicente Homer Revi, among others. – Rappler.com

The incident occurred as the officers were returning to the provincial headquarters camp on Wednesday evening, June 14, according to Brigadier General Allan Nobleza, the regional chief of the police in  the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“The troops were about to return to the camp from a routine patrol they conducted in Shariff Aguak Poblacion when the ambush happened,” Nobleza said, confirming the incident that took place around 8:30 pm. 

“It was followed by a short firefight,” he said.

The wounded personnel were rushed to a nearby provincial hospital. 

The ambush occurred near the police’s provincial headquarters.

Nobleza identified the fatalities only as patrolmen Macacuna and Polayagan.

Wounded were Chief Master Sergeant Rey Vincent Gertos, Staff Sergeant Benjie de los Reyes, Patrolman Alib Abdulgapor, and Patrolman RJ Bal.

The police team belonged to the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Maguindanao del Sur police. 

The ambush immediately resulted in speculations that it was a retaliatory attack by the Dawlah Islamiyah following the killing of their leader, Abu Zacharia, in Marawi earlier that day.

Nobleza said, “We cannot say at this point who was behind this ambush. We are thoroughly investigating the incident.”

Investigators suspect that the terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) orchestrated the ambush. 

As a result, police, accompanied by Army soldiers, have launched a manhunt operation in the area to apprehend the assailants believed to be still in the vicinity.

It was not the first time an ambush has occurred targeting police cars in the area. In January 2018, a police car was struck by a roadside bomb, followed by gunfire from the BIFF. 

That incident resulted in the death of one policeman and the injury of seven others.

This incident also follows a similar attack on August 30 of last year when gunmen ambushed the police chief of Sharif Aguak town, Lieutenant Reynaldo Samson, and his security aide, Corporal Salipudin Endab. 

They were en route to make an arrest in the village of Kapinpilan at around 10 am on that day.

Police have attributed the August 30 ambush to the Karialan faction of the BIFF, led by Abdulnasser Sabtulah Guianid and Guipar Abdulkarim, also known as Commander Boy Jacket. 

Other members of the group include Sala Tunda, Johari Abdulbasser Guinaid, Phepe Saptulah, Abdulrah Sapal, and Bobot Kamsa. – Rappler.com

After the first explosion, authorities found three more bombs at a power pylon of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Pikit town, Cotabato province, on Monday, June 12.

Lieutenant Colonel John Miridel Calinga, the police chief of Pikit town, identified the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) as the group behind the foiled attempt to topple NGCP Tower No. 39 in Sitio Punol, Barangay Batulawan in Pikit.

Calinga said the bombs found were homemade explosive devices the BIFF has been known for.

The BIFF is not to be confused with the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The BIFF is a militant group that emerged in the early 2000s after breaking away from the larger MILF due to ideological and strategic differences. 

The BIFF aims to establish an independent Islamic state in the predominantly Muslim areas of Mindanao and has been involved in various acts of violence, including bombings, attacks on government forces, and clashes with other armed groups in the region. It has been designated as a terrorist organization by the government.

Bomb experts disarmed the homemade explosive devices, made out of anti-personnel mines, which have been attached to the power pylon. 

Lieutenant Colonel Rowel Gavilanes, commander of the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion, said the BIFF had planned to topple the NGCP pylon that is being used for power transmission from the Mindanao power grid to Soccsksargen and BARMM as the country celebrated the Philippine Independence Day.

Had the pylon been toppled, it could have plunged many areas in the two Mindanao regions into darkness, Calinga said.

Gavilanes said residents in Batulawan were the first to hear a faint explosion in the area past 8 am, and quickly reported it to authorities.

He said the police and Army sent teams of bomb experts to check and disarmed the devices.

Brigadier General Donald Gumiran, the commander of the Army’s 602nd Brigade, said all military units went on alert in anticipation of more bombing attempts and other forms of violence.

Police and soldiers were sent to immediately check other NGCP power pylons, and security was tightened along power substations and main distribution lines.

“This could be just a diversionary tactic for a possible retaliatory attack by lawless groups in response to the ongoing drive against terrorists and lawless groups,” Gumiran said.

On Sunday, June 11, a tricycle driver alerted soldiers in the remote village of Kadigasan, Midsayap town, Cotabato, about a package. Bomb experts checked and found an 81mm explosive inside. – Rappler.com

This initiative has opened doors for children, providing them with an opportunity to pursue education and break free from the limitations imposed by their circumstances.

Opened on May 30, the learning center in Lanting goes beyond academic subjects; it also aims to preserve the cultural heritage, beliefs, and traditions of the Teduray tribe, which constitutes the majority of the community’s residents.

Among the beneficiaries of this learning hub, Mohaimen Ismael stands out as an eager learner, actively joining and helping his peers with reading activities in the center.

Despite being 12 years old, Mohaimen finds himself in the 2nd grade instead of the 6th grade, a result of the challenges his family faced long before the new learning facility was built.

First, they live in a camp of the MILF which, until its 2014 peace agreement with the government, was leading a secessionist armed struggle in Mindanao. The MILF is now leading the Muslim-majority Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a special political territory created as a result of the 2014 settlement.

Mohaimen’s parents were unable to send him to school due to the distance between their home and the nearest town school, compounded by their extreme poverty. Faced with financial constraints, his parents prioritized farm work to ensure daily sustenance.

As the fourth of six siblings, Mohaimen expressed a strong desire to go to school.

“I had wanted to attend school, but there was none nearby. So, when I learned about this school, I wasted no time and enrolled along with my friends and siblings. I want to study and contribute to the well-being of my mother and our family,” said Mohaimen. 

Determined to catch up, Mohaimen has devoted himself to extensive reading to broaden his knowledge. He leads his peers in fostering a reading habit within the school.

The community played an active role in building the learning hub, with parents actively participating in its physical development. They recognize that education is not only essential for their children but also for themselves.

The Abot Kaalaman sa Pamilyang Bangsamoro (AKAP) program, implemented by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) in the Bangsamoro region, with support from the Australian government’s Pathways program, aims to establish accessible, operational, and functional educational facilities for 106 underserved villages across the region.

The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC-Philippines) is facilitating the establishment of these centers in the region.

Dioscoro Eballes, the school head, expressed optimism that the center would educate indigenous children while instilling reading habits among them and their parents, without neglecting their culture and traditions.

Mohammad Kaul, a learning facilitator in Barangay Lanting, stressed the importance of providing adequate reading materials in the library to encourage students to further engage in reading.

Malou Gonzales, a community organizer from BRAC-Philippines, pointed out how the proximity of the learning hub benefits indigenous children, especially those residing in mountain villages.

“Children are now fully immersed in the world of reading and counting. They dedicate 5 to 10 minutes every day to reading, with active participation from both the children and their parents, who share the same enthusiasm and desire for literacy,” Gonzales said.

Riz Barandino from Pathways stressed the need to bring learning institutions closer to indigenous children, eliminating the need for them to travel long distances.

By initiating the learning process at a young age, the center aims to provide education not only for Barangay Ladting but also for children from neighboring villages, fostering their development in reading, writing, and counting, according to Barandino. – Rappler.com

Ferdinandh Cabrera is an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow.

Chief Minister Ibrahim gave his assurances during the BARMM Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting at the Sultan Kiram Gymnasium in Maimbung, Sulu. He also assured that the BARMM Government under his leadership continues to support the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). 

This, even as the security sector reported a significant decrease in criminality in the Bangsamoro region except for the “rido” or armed conflict among feuding families in certain areas in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, and Basilan. 

Lieutenant General Roy Gallido, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) with jurisdiction over the BARMM, confirmed the Abu Sayyaf Group remains a security threat in Sulu and Basilan, as does the Daulah Islamiya in Maguindanao. 

Gallido reported that, for the period from January to June 2023, some 225 local terrorists have been neutralized and 176 loose firearms have been recovered throughout Western Mindanao including BARMM, collecting nearly 5,000 unlicensed firearms in an ongoing Small and Light Weapons (SALW) Program with Basilan Province under the leadership of Governor Jim Salliman.

For his part, Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity said efforts would be made to convene a meeting of the Ulama Council of Elders in the Bangsamoro region to seek support for security. 

Governors endorse postponement of Barangay, SK elections

Meanwhile, the five BARMM governors, through Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, presented and endorsed to the RPOC a position paper–slash–manifesto, calling for the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the BARMM until the decommissioning of former combatants from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is completed. 

The governors of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao agreed upon the manifesto during a separate caucus. 

Salliman moved for the creation of a technical working group that will study their position papers. – Rappler.com

“He is still young, and we are hopeful that, with proper guidance and counseling, he will be able to walk back on the right path and build a better future,” Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido said, referring to the rescued teen. 

The troops of Joint Task Force Basilan rescued the Indonesian teenager in Sitio Lobloban, Barangay Guiong, Sumisip, Basilan, after a relentless chase after the Sulu-based Daulah Islamiyah-Abu Sayyaf Group sub-leader Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, a.k.a. Mundi, and Basilan-based ASG sub-leader Pasil Bayali, a.k.a. Kera.

Galido said the scout rangers were able to locate position of the targets, but the latter escaped upon sensing the presence of the troops, and left behind the Indonesian teenager.

The Western Mindanao Command reported that Mundi brought along the Indonesian teenager as they fled Sulu to evade the relentless combat operation of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade. 

Joint Task Force Basilan Acting Commander Colonel Frederick Sales identified the rescued minor by his alias Addih.

He was confirmed to be the 15-year-old son of the late couple Rullie Rian Zeke, a.k.a. Abbang Rullie, and his wife Ulfah Handayani Saleh, who were behind the 2019 Jolo cathedral suicide bombings.

The troops brought the rescued Indonesian teenager to the hospital for a medical check-up and to undergo counseling. – Rappler.com

The governors – Mamintal Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, Mariam Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi, and Abdusakur Mahail Tan of Sulu – signed a manifesto that called their group the “BARMM Governors Caucus (BGC).”

Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman did not come but was represented by Maluso town Mayor Hanie Bud, the leader of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Basilan.

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Absent

Noticeably absent from the gathering was Governor Abdulraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte, who was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in April 2023.

Macacua, more known by his nom de guerre Sammy Gambar, is once the chief of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which ended decades of secessionist rebellion in Mindanao with a 2014 peace deal with the government.

The political settlement led to the creation of the BARMM which is now being governed by an interim group dominated by the MILF and headed by its chairman, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim.

The absence of Macacua, who before his appointment as officer-in-charge/governor of Maguindanao del Norte served as the region’s senior minister, further raised speculations that most of BARMM’s provincial governors were solidifying an alliance to go against the MILF-dominated parliament ahead of October’s barangay and youth election, and the 2025 local elections.

‘No politics’

Adiong, however, told reporters that they have not joined forces to frustrate the MILF’s bid to win seats in their provinces but to address their growing concerns on the development and the peace and order situation in the region where armed conflicts and deadly violence remained to be a recurring problem.

He said the other governors agreed to see him in Cagayan de Oro because they were unable to visit him during his hospital confinement as a result of an ambush near the boundaries of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon on February 17.

The ambush killed four of Adiong’s aides and left him wounded.

“Masayadong premature pa para pag-usapan ang election. Ang caucus na ito ay para sa mga constituents ng BARMM (It’s still too premature to discuss the election. This caucus is for the constituents of BARMM),” Adiong said.

Wake-up call

The governor’s brother, Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Adiong, however, said the move of the governors should serve as a “wake-up call” for the MILF.

“This could develop into something else. We are open to any development that this caucus may lead to,” Zia said.

He said the governor’s group could eventually develop into a political party that may challenge the MILF’s leadership in the 2025 BARMM elections.

Zia, a former member of the Bangsamoro parliament, said if any of the governors want to become BARMM’S chief minister, then the aspirant would need to secure as many seats in the Bangsamoro parliament first because its members choose who gets to be the head of the regional government.

He said, “LGUs (local government units) are always key players in any elections.”

Based on the rule, the 80-member BARMM parliament is composed of 41 MILF members, while the rest are sectoral representatives. 

Not a new plan

Mangudadatu, for her part, said the plan to organize the group of BARMM governors started even before Marcos appointed Macacua as Maguindanao del Norte’s governor. 

She had initially questioned the appointment of OICs in the two Maguindanao provinces, including Macacua’s, but later gave in and welcomed the new governor and expressed her willingness to collaborate with him and the BARMM leadership.

The governors‘ caucus seeks to enhance the coordination of the national and regional governments to improve development and foster peace mechanisms in the region, and is not motivated by partisan politics, said Tan.

“The purpose of this caucus is not to discuss the election. First, we are not sure because the (barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan) elections are always being postponed. We are not sure if there will be an election. It might be premature to talk about the election. This is cooperation. We have no bad intentions. This is not to destroy but to fix and speed up what we have to do,” Tan said.

Appeal

In the manifesto they signed, the governors said security challenges in the BARMM are not addressed because of unclear and overlapping mandates of law-enforcement agencies.

Adiong cited the attempt on his life early this year. “If a governor like me can be ambushed, what more for the ordinary people?” he said.

The governors also called for inclusive governance and development in BARMM to address the marginalization of its residents, one of the problems that, they said, results in violent extremism.

They also called on the BARMM government to convene a council of leaders and broad representation from local governments and sectoral groups. – Rappler.com

Tindig Sindaw, a cultural performing group hailing from the predominantly Muslim region in the Southern Philippines, mesmerized the audience with their captivating performances, offering a glimpse into the vibrant traditions and customs of the Bangsamoro people.

The event also highlighted the rich tapestry of diversity and unity among Filipinos in the BARMM.

Officials said the occasion served as a bridge to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s cultural heritage and its economic prospects.

The grand parade not only celebrated the cultural diversity and traditions of various provinces, cities, regions, and Filipino organizations across the United States but also provided a platform for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to participate in the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebrations. 

The Philippine Independence Day Council Incorporated (PIDCI) organized the event in New York City ahead of the June 12 celebration in the Philippines.

The 33rd annual program commenced with a flag-raising ceremony held on June 4 at the Philippine Consulate in New York, paying tribute to the valiant Filipino heroes who fought ardently for independence.

Mustapha Ala Jr., a member of the Bangsamoro delegation, joyfully exclaimed, “Finally, my dream has come true as I waved the flag of the Bangsamoro with pride in a foreign land.”

Amid the festivities, BARMM proudly showcased its distinct indigenous and cultural products, spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT). 

BARMM information office chief Ameen Andrew Alonto said participants and onlookers were offered a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant arts and crafts of this Muslim-majority region, an experience that evoked a sense of appreciation and admiration.

BARMM officials expressed their hope that companies based in New York would seize the opportunity to explore investment prospects in the Bangsamoro region, recognizing the untapped potential it holds.

MTIT Director-General Rosslaini Alonto-Sinarimbo took part in a forum organized in New York, where he shared valuable insights on BARMM’s economic landscape, fostering potential partnerships and collaborations. – Rappler.com

Ferdinandh Cabrera is an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow.

The soldiers will provide security for teachers during their commutes from home to school and back, announced Lieutenant Colonel Rowel Gavilanes, the commander of the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion in Pikit, on Wednesday, May 31.

A similar security arrangement was done in 2018, when police officers acted as security escorts of teachers in Pikit because of the threats of violence.

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Gavilanes said the fully armed soldiers will be on motorcycles to ensure security coverage for public school teachers as they travel to and from their respective schools.

Department of Education (DepEd) officials in Cotabato province have called on the police and military to collaborate in putting in place long-term measures to ensure the safety of public school teachers and students who are currently living in fear amid a string of gun attacks in the town.

Over the past year, the police have documented more than 30 incidents of gun attacks in the town, resulting in casualties among both students and teachers.

Romelito Flores, the superintendent of Cotabato schools division, said the escalating violence in Pikit poses an ongoing threat to the lives of teachers and students, requiring immediate action. 

He said this as he met with 36 school heads in Pikit on Tuesday, May 30, in response to a recent upsurge in violence, which claimed the life of one teacher and left another injured.

During the meeting, Flores said there was a need to understand the teachers’ sentiments regarding their safety and the situation in their respective areas, to develop immediate and long-term solutions that will hopefully put an end to the violence.

On DepEd’s part, one of the potential solutions being considered is the transfer of some teaching personnel and adjustments to class schedules in certain schools, Flores said.

On May 26, gunmen on a motorcycle shot at two teachers who were also on a motorcycle, resulting in the death of Joel Reformado, a 37-year-old head teacher at Damalasak Elementary School in Pikit. 

Reformado’s colleague, Elton John Lapinid, 36, suffered wounds as a result of the attack, according to the police.

The killing occurred in front of Manaulanan Elementary School in Barangay Manaulanan, a village located within the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM).

In February, the town mayor ordered the suspension of classes at all levels following the killing of a 13-year-old student and the injuring of two others.

Several days later, another minor was shot dead, followed by another killing on the same day. – Rappler.com

With the help of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Piagapo launched the Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) program on Wednesday, May 31. This milestone makes it the first municipal government in the predominantly Muslim region to adopt digitalization.

UNDP’s resident representative in the Philippines, Selva Ramachandran, stressed the importance of digitalization in government services, emphasizing its role in expediting document processing. 

He stressed that amid the continuing global fight against COVID-19, the use of digital communication tools has become crucial. 

Ramachandran also emphasized the need to make digital tools inclusive and accessible to all, even in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

Fausiah Romancap Abdula, director for operation management services in BARMM’s Ministry of Interior and Local Governance (MILG), said the project was patterned after a successful initiative from Bangladesh introduced by the UNDP. 

Currently, the town government’s system in Piagapo includes two installed programs for business permits and birth certificates. 

Officials said plans are underway to expand the system to incorporate other transactions and integrate Gcash payments to minimize delays and corruption.

Despite the development, the Piagapo town government still faces two major challenges that may impede its operations. 

One is the ongoing power supply problem hounding the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO). Although the digital center is equipped with a power generator, it cannot be utilized continuously throughout the day. 

Also, around 60% of the Piagapo population lacks computer literacy. 

To overcome this obstacle, Piagapo’s communities will receive information, education, and communication (IEC) initiatives and tutorial classes. 

The UNDP said it would also provide laptops and printers to selected areas, enabling residents to process their documents nearby. 

Officials said signal reception is not an issue, as the digital center utilizes satellite-based technology. 

The town government has also set up a call center for easy communication between the BARMM center and Piagapo.

Piagapo Mayor Ali Sumandar said the development showed the town has started to transform, going from lagging behind other municipalities nationwide in various aspects to now benefiting from a digital platform that expedites document processing in as little as half a day or less. 

Sumandar said the program would streamline the transactions at the town government, and make them efficient.

Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong said the province is somewhat behind in terms of technology, and the Piagapo program should be replicated by other town governments in the province and BARMM. – Rappler.com