BTA pushes SAP appointment as InterGovernmental Relations Body co-chair

COTABATO CITY -- The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has formally requested that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appoint Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo Jr. as the national government’s co-chairperson of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB).

In a resolution adopted 17 December, the 80-member transition parliament endorsed Lagdameo to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Amenah Pangandaman.

Resolution No. 775 stresses the need for continuity in high-level engagement between the national government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM.

The IGRB was established under the Bangsamoro Organic Law to resolve intergovernmental issues through consultation and non-adversarial negotiation. Since its inception in 2019, the body has served as the primary bridge for dialogue on governance, fiscal policy and infrastructure.

Members of the parliament said appointing Lagdameo, a senior presidential adviser, would ensure the national government remains focused on regional cooperation as BARMM nears its first regular parliamentary elections.

The transition authority is currently led by Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, who was appointed by Marcos in March 2025 to guide the region through its administrative and electoral evolution.

The IGRB’s influence expanded in November 2023 with the activation of seven specialized mechanisms, including forums for fiscal policy and infrastructure development. Recent bilateral agreements facilitated by the body include the establishment of a Professional Regulation Commission office in the region and the return of Department of Foreign Affairs consular services to Cotabato City.

Under the law, any disputes the IGRB cannot resolve are escalated to the president through the BARMM chief minister.