Legarda Strengthen Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament coordination, advances education and governance reforms

Senator Loren Legarda reaffirmed her commitment to advancing peace, development, and inclusive governance in the Bangsamoro as she co-chaired the 4th Meeting of the Philippine Congress–Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF), where key milestones were achieved to deepen institutional cooperation between the national government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

A central outcome of the meeting was the formal adoption of the Rules of Procedure of the PCBPF, establishing a clear and stable framework for sustained coordination among the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Bangsamoro Parliament. Created under Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the PCBPF serves as a venue for coordinating legislative initiatives and strengthening intergovernmental cooperation.

“Peace is not a point we reach and consider a finished task,” Legarda said. “It must be felt in daily life through better services, fair systems, and real opportunities for our people to build their futures in their own communities.”

The four-term Senator underscored the importance of responsive and inclusive governance as the PCBPF discussed the proposed establishment of a province for the BARMM Special Geographic Area (SGA). Updates were also presented on the measure resetting the first regular parliamentary elections in BARMM, supporting a stable and credible transition to full regional governance.

As Co-Chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), Legarda initiated the ceremonial turnover of the Commission’s Final Report to the Bangsamoro Parliament, marking an important step toward addressing long-standing education challenges across the country, including in the BARMM.

“We must ensure that our national education programs, including scholarships and student and teacher support, are effectively reaching learners in BARMM,” Legarda said. “With the findings and data from this report, I see an opportunity for a stronger partnership where we can pursue targeted reforms.”

To advance these efforts, the PCBPF agreed to establish a dedicated technical working group on education to advance the findings of the EDCOM II Report, align policies, streamline program delivery, and ensure that reforms translate into meaningful improvements in learning outcomes.

A long-standing advocate of the Bangsamoro peace process, Legarda co-authored the Bangsamoro Organic Law and has consistently championed laws that uphold the rights, dignity, and development of Muslim Filipinos and the broader Filipino people.