By Sam Ramos
Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman has called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to ensure funding for Sulu province following the Supreme Court’s (SC) final decision to exclude Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Hataman, who also serves as Deputy Minority Leader, issued the appeal on Wednesday, November 27, emphasizing the need to secure funding for Sulu’s essential services. He underscored that the national government now bears direct responsibility for providing financial support to the province.
The SC recently denied motions for reconsideration from the BARMM government, the Office of the Solicitor General, and other parties, making Sulu’s exclusion from BARMM final and executory. Hataman noted that without proper funding allocation, critical services in health, education, and livelihood, as well as salaries for local government staff, could be disrupted.
“Sulu local government services cannot be delayed. I am calling on the DBM and other agencies to ensure funding for the province. This is the right of every citizen in Sulu from the national government,” Hataman said in a statement.
Hataman pointed out that the exclusion of Sulu from BARMM entails a funding requirement of approximately PHP9 billion for 2025, based on estimates from BARMM officials. However, the proposed PHP6.352 trillion national budget for 2025 currently lacks allocations for Sulu.
To address this gap, Hataman proposed including a special provision in the block grant for BARMM during the bicameral deliberations on the national budget, allowing the regional government to temporarily continue funding Sulu despite its exclusion.
He also stressed the importance of planning a smooth transition and involving local officials in prioritizing immediate needs for Sulu’s 19 municipalities, which house over one million residents.
“The national and provincial governments should talk about how to solve this problem. I hope the government has a plan to ensure the welfare of the people of Sulu because the province has no funds in the 2025 proposed national budget,” Hataman added.
Jolo, the capital of Sulu, and its surrounding municipalities face potential challenges in maintaining services without immediate action from the national government. The lawmaker emphasized that swift and coordinated efforts are essential to minimize disruptions and ensure the welfare of Sulu’s residents.