COTABATO CITY – The current administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been laying down the groundwork for a smooth transition to the new system that would be created under the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
“A smooth transition from ARMM is crucial in Bangsamoro’s success,” said Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, adding “we have prepared the mechanisms for a smooth transition, such as developing a database management system and geo-tagging as well as putting in place measures related to policy reforms.”
The governor said that in effect, the regional government has been on a transition mode that would make it easier for the Bangsamoro government to operate effectively and efficiently once the new political and administrative structures become active.
In his state of the region address on December 1, 2014, Gov. Hataman cited economic and social strides made possible by reforms instituted in the last few years as well as breakthroughs achieved in the southern peace process.
For instance, the improvement in the performance of the regional economy has been significant. The gross regional domestic product went up by 3.6% in 2013 from only 1.1% growth in 2012. Likewise, investment totaling roughly P3.4 billion was recorded as of late 2014, or twice the previous year’s figure of P1.46 billion.
These achievements, the governor said, should be attributed not only to reforms introduced by the regional government but also to the success of the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Business confidence was heightened these past years making ARMM a more attractive investment destination in Mindanao.
On the delivery of social services, major indicators have also been quite encouraging. Maternal mortality rate was 51 per hundred thousand live births in 2013 from 245 per hundred thousand live births in 2008. Infant mortality rate went down to 32 per thousand live births in 2013, from 55 per thousand live births in 2008.
Meanwhile, number of residents with PhilHealth cards reached 1,535,661 as of October 2014 from only 835,153 in 2008. This is complemented with an increase in the number of PhilHealth accredited hospitals to 37 from 28 in 2012.
To further improve the delivery of health care, regional health units were increased to 50 last year from only 19 in 2012. (Bureau of Public Information)
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