To the credit of the BARMM leadership they have just approved their 2020 Annual Appropriation Act defining the priorities of projects and activities to be funded next year.

This early, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is showing its mettle for leadership and reform in governance. Its infancy is hardly a factor in its journey towards achieving its vision and mission for the region.

Earlier, pessimists and naysayers saw only its leaders being greenhorns in the art of governance and bureaucracy, with them “coming in from the cold.”

They overlooked the fact that these men are made of hard stuff, forged in the crucible of harsh circumstances fighting for what they believed are their rights. They are a breed of freedom fighters willing to sacrifice for their cause, even if their struggle will take them to the unfamiliar terrain of the bureaucracy.

Now, the much-touted moral (many calls it Murad) leadership in governance earlier promised and trumpeted by subalterns of interim Chief Minister, al-haj Murad Ebrahim is taking traction. The recent acknowledgment of this dedicated leadership comes in the form of an award to the local government unit components of the BARMM from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The DILG has this special program they call The Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). It is its “response to the clamor of the people for integrity and performance in public service… continuing challenge for provincial, city, and municipal governments to do better…” Local government units (LGU) undergo rigid vetting annually and those passing the stringent assessment criteria are awarded the coveted SGLG. The criteria include peace and order, financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, business-friendliness and competitiveness, environmental protection, tourism culture and arts.

BARMM topped the Mindanao regions with 28 LGU passers. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año singled out the BARMM when he expressed his thanks to its leaders “for their commitment… that made sure its programs are in place for the people.”

What are the incentives for the winners? Aside from the SGLG marker, “eligibility to the DILG Performance Challenge Fund to finance their local development projects; priority access to other programs and capacity development assistance from the DILG.”

Of course, so much of the credit goes to the LGU. But the BARMM leadership has a role in achieving the feat given that it has a legislated administrative supervision over the LGU. Kudos, likewise, are due to the immediate past ARMM leadership of Mujiv Hataman, now Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, which planted the seed of good governance during their watch. This rare honor provides a challenge for the present leadership to maintain — if not excel — the feat through close monitoring and supervision over its geographical units.

The Members of Parliament are upbeat and in high morale performing their job. This column is regularly updated on the working of the regional parliament through the regular posts in the social media threads of MPs Suharto Ambolodto and Paisalin Tago, lawyers of note who have shown dedication and seriousness performing their parliamentary duties.

To the credit of the BARMM leadership they have just approved their 2020 Annual Appropriation Act defining the priorities of projects and activities to be funded next year.

Also, according to MP Ambolodto, while absenteeism among municipal mayors in the BARMM was chronic, there are positive signs of reform. They now report to their office and attend to their constituents regularly. In the past, Mayors of Lanao del Sur are seen more in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities than in their posts, while Mayors from Maguindanao in Davao City and those in the BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) areas in Zamboanga city. They have established their residences in these urban areas.

This development is a positive and encouraging sign that there is much to hope under the leadership governance of BARMM.

Relevantly, in a report I submitted to the Office of the President when I was Undersecretary of Justice, I specially mentioned absenteeism of mayors, which I blamed for the failure of governance in these areas and the resultant aggravation of the secessionist problem. One of my findings was that residents who have grievances go to the rebel group instead of the absent local leaders.

There is a whiff of optimism sweeping the Morolandia with residents hoping against hope that the BARMM leadership sustains its moral leadership for reform. Knock on wood.