ARMM Gov. Hataman delivers final Ulat sa Bayan

COTABATO CITY – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman delivered his final 'Ulat sa Bayan' on Wednesday, December 19, at the region’s seat of government here.In his final address, Gov. Hataman highlighted the achievements and milestones of his administration in the last seven years. Pitong taon. Totoo nga poand Napakalayo na ng ating narating sa loob ng maiksing panahon, lalo na kung ihahambing sa ating dating kalagayan, Gov. Hataman said.ARMM will cease to exist after the expected ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) through a plebiscite next month. The law will create the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.Struggles and milestonesThe governor recounted the times when most of parts of the region, especially the remote areas, were almost impossible to benefit from government’s services. But because of the regional government’s will to improve the situation, the almost impossible became possible.Some of the milestones he mentioned were the construction of the Basilan Circumferential Road and the Sagay-Sagay water system in Sulu.Gov. Hataman reminisced the days when the ARMM was described as having the worst and dysfunctional bureaucracy in the country because of rampant corruption as well as ineffective and inefficient governance. Binago po natin ang lahat ng ito. At ang bukal ng pagbabagoand tapat, mabisa, at mabuting pamamahala, he said. Sinimulan natin sa transpormasyon ng kultura ng pagbabago – mula palakasan tungo sa propesyunalismo, he added.Some of the major transformations he mentioned in his speech are the followingand·ISOand9001 (Quality Management System) certification of the Office of the Regional Governor updated from version 2008 to version 2015·Establishment of database system of the ARMM line agencies with 80 database and 52 online services provided·23 Seal of Good Local Governance awards as of 2018 and 63 Good Financial Housekeeping awards as of 2017 for various local government units in the region·Increasing investors’ confidence in the region with P20 billion worth of projects approved this year that equates to 15,507 employment and·A significant increase in the growth of the region’s Gross Domestic Product from 0.3% in 2011 to 7.3% last year.There are also programs created to cater the needs of the people the region namely, the Program Against Violent Extremism Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team and the Humanitarian and Development Action Program.Bangsamoro government transitionGov. Hataman also discussed the transition from the ARMM to the new Bangsamoro government noting the approval of the Bangsamoro Organic Law signifies the triumph of every Moro.He also urged the public to support the upcoming plebiscite on the BOL. Bumoto para sa mas nagkakaisa, mas makatarungan, at mas masaganang bukas. Hinihimok ko kayong nandito ngayonand Maging instrumento ng liwanag at kaalaman ukol saBOL, he said.A grateful leaderGov. Hataman became emotional as he recalled how he started serving the Bangsamoro people, giving credit to former president Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III who appointed him as Officer-in-Charge regional governor of the ARMM in 2011. Nagtiwala siya sa ating mga Moro, na kaya nating pamunuan ang ating mga sarili, kaya nating makilahok sa pagbabago, kaya nating umasenso basta’t tama ang kundisyon, he said.He also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for supporting him in his advocacy in reforming the regional government despite their difference in political alliance. Furthermore, he commended the President's utmost support to the BOL.During the huling 'Ulat sa Bayan', he thanked the key personalities who were involved in the peace process specifically MILF Chairman Al-Hadjj Murad Ebrahim, MILF Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal, Senator Paolo ‘Bam’ Aquino, then Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (PAPP) Teresita Quintos Deles, Undersecretary Nabil Tan, Atty. Randolph 'Bong' Parcasio, Atty. Jose Lorena, outgoing PAPP Jesus Dureza, and incoming PAPP Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr.Gov. Hataman also gave his sincerest gratitude to the people who were with him in the last seven years in reforming ARMM – his family, his cabinet secretaries, and the Bangsamoro people. Ito ang aking huling Ulat sa Bayan. Pinipili kong tignan ito hindi bilang pagtatapos, kundi bilang pagpapatuloy. Tuloy-tuloy po ang kwento ng Moro. Samahan ninyo ako tara na't isulat natin ito. Maraming salamat po, said Hataman. (Bureau of Public Information)