Socio-economic assistance baseline for normalization program in BARMM pushed

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Philstar.com

February 20, 2026 | 9:24am

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) is working to complete a clear and accurate baseline report on socio-economic assistance provided under the government’s normalization program in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a meeting with the socio-economic subcluster of the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN), agencies reviewed what has already been delivered and what still needs to be done.

The office reiterated that the goal is to ensure all data are correct, updated and aligned.

According to the OSAP, there is an urgent need to establish baseline data to determine the actual achievements and remaining targets for 2026 to 2028.

Officials said the final figures will largely depend on the needs assessment being conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for each decommissioned combatant. 

The national government also plans to separate or “disaggregate” data under the PAMANA Program to focus specifically on interventions related to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) normalization process.

SAP Anton Lagdameo Jr., on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., initially reaffirmed the national government’s full support for the continued implementation of the normalization process.

“On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, allow me to reaffirm this administration’s full support for the continued implementation of the Peace Agreements and the normalization process. We remain committed to ensuring that the hard earned and deeply meaningful [gains] are protected, expanded and carried into the next generation,” said Lagdameo.

This reflects the President’s strong commitment to supporting local government participation in peacebuilding and recognizing the vital role of the normalization program in BARMM.

“Normalization ensures human security. It is a testament to the partnership between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in ensuring that the gains of peace benefit all Filipinos,” the President earlier said.

Meanwhile, the OSAP aims to complete the baseline data, covering both fulfilled and pending assistance, within the first quarter of 2026. This will serve as the basis for setting targets from 2026 to 2028 and for drafting a Joint Roadmap moving forward. (Contributed story)