UN congratulates PH, MILF, BTC in establishing Bangsamoro Transition Authority

United Nations Secretary-General’s Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric on Friday congratulated the Philippine Government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, civil society groups and local communities on the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

Dujarric reiterated the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ statement that the move to establish a Bangsamoro policy making body by the Duterte administration was a “landmark achievement on the road to lasting peace in the Southern Philippines,” as well as “a historic occasion for all people from the Philippines.”

The BTA was established on Feb. 22, following the confirmation of the Jan. 21 and Feb. 6 plebiscite on the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The BTA is the body that will serve as the BARMM’s government from 2019 to the 2022 elections. It will have the wider powers promised in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) for the new autonomous region including the administration of its own justice system, fund-raising, alteration of boundaries of municipalities and barangays, and development of culture and education, among others.

He also added that the United Nations will continue to support the Philippines in the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and to help build the capacity of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to achieve peace, democratic governance, and respect for human rights. (UN/EPC/MAPA/PIA-ICC)