OSAP pushes BARMM socio-economic assistance baseline

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) is finalizing a comprehensive baseline report on socio-economic assistance provided to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to streamline the government’s normalization program.

In a recent meeting with the socio-economic subcluster of the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN), various agencies reviewed delivered aid and identified remaining gaps in the peace process.

The OSAP stressed the urgency of establishing accurate data to set clear targets for the 2026 to 2028 period.

Officials cited that the final figures will hinge on a needs assessment currently being conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for each decommissioned combatant.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the peace process on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

"We remain committed to ensuring that the hard earned and deeply meaningful gains are protected, expanded and carried into the next generation," Lagdameo said.

To improve transparency, the national government plans to disaggregate data under the PAMANA Program.

This shift aims to isolate and track specific interventions related to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) normalization process.

The President has previously described the program as a vital partnership for human security. "Normalization... 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," Marcos said.

The OSAP aims to complete the baseline data, covering both fulfilled and pending assistance, by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Once finalized, the data will serve as the foundation for a Joint Roadmap and strategic planning through 2028.