ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bangsamoro Members of Parliament on Tuesday passed on the third and final reading the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Bill 54, or the Bangsamoro Expenditure Program for 2023, amounting to P85.3 billion.

All 44 members of parliament voted in favor of the bill that puts importance on education, health, infrastructure and social services.

BTA information officer Sheila de la Cruz said that before the budget's approval, the Committee on Finance, Budget and Management deliberated the proposed budgets of all the ministries and agencies.

The BTA is the interim regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and has executive and legislative powers over the region.

The BARMM budget was increased to P85.3 billion in 2023 from P79.8 billion in 2022.

De la Cruz said the Bangsamoro government allocated P70.1 billion for all of the ministries, agencies, and offices, while P15.2 billion is allotted for Special Purpose Funds.

According to De la Cruz the education sector in the region has received the highest budget allocation for next year, totaling P27.2 billion.