Minister Tago attends his first IGRB Meeting

Minister Paisalin P. Tago attended his first Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) of the National and Bangsamoro governments last December 1, 2022 held in Malacanang of the South, Davao City.

It was also the first time that the current composition of the IGRB under the Marcos Jr. Administration met. The IGRB is currently co-chaired by Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, for the National Government, and Basic, Higher, and Technical Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, for the Bangsamoro Government.

The members of the IGRB from the National Government include Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo, Jr.; Finance Secretary Benjamin F. Diokno; Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur C. Abalos, Jr.; National Defense Senior Undersecretary Jose C. Faustino, Jr.; Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel F. Bonoan; Energy Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla; Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban; Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista; Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr..

The Bangsamoro Government’s representatives to the IGRB include Speaker of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, Member of Parliament (MP) Ali Pangalian M. Balindong; Senior Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua; Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin K. Pendatun; Finance, Budget and Management Minister Ubaida C. Pacasem; Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo; Social Services and Development Minister Raissa H. Jajurie; Public Works Minister Eduard U. Guerra; Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform Minister Mohammad S. Yacob; Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Minister Akmad A. Brahim; and Transportation and Communications Minister Paisalin P. Tago.

Minister Tago, during the IGRB meeting, raised the issue of the turnover of office, powers, and functions of the remaining Land Transportation Offices in Marawi City and Wao in the Province of Lanao Del Sur, and Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) and Datu Abdullah Sangki (DAS), both in the Province of Maguindanao, to the Bangsamoro Government.

Minister Tago is hopeful that the turnover will happen before the 2nd IGRB meeting to be held sometime in February of 2023.

The IGRB is a mechanism created through the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2019 and is mandated to coordinate and resolve issues between the two governments through regular consultation and continuing negotiation.