President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial distribution of P3.4 billion worth of projects and assistance to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) at the 6th Infantry Division Gym in Camp Siongco, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on July 22, 2026. The event began at 9:30 a.m. and included the turnover of infrastructure projects, livelihood programs, and educational assistance.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, the assistance covered various sectors, including health, education, and agriculture. Marcos emphasized the government's commitment to development in the region but did not mention the peace process or the status of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Local officials, including BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, attended the event. Ebrahim expressed gratitude for the aid but reiterated the need for continued dialogue on political issues. The peace process, a key component of the 2014 CAB, has seen delays in the normalization phase, including the decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces and the transition of the BARMM government.
Critics noted that the president's silence on the peace process comes amid concerns over the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the upcoming BARMM elections in 2025. The distribution of aid, while welcomed, did not address the underlying political and security challenges in the region.
