04/09/2026
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Lo Ivan Castillon PhD, Chief of the Planning and Management Division, represented the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) at the 3rd Meeting of the Regional Basic Sector Coordinating Council (RBSCC) in Davao City, underscoring OCM's policy leadership in social development and anti-poverty integration.
The Magna Carta of the Poor (RA 11291) guarantees five fundamental rights for every Filipino: adequate food, decent employment, quality education, adequate housing, and standard healthcare. To operationalize these rights, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) issued Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 001, Series of 2025, providing guidelines for local governments to craft Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans (LPRAPs). Created under Republic Act 8425 (the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act), NAPC is the principal coordinating and advisory body mandated to oversee implementation of the national Social Reform Agenda (SRA) and ensure its integration into development plans at the national, regional, and local levels. A central function of NAPC is to bridge government agencies with marginalized communities by institutionalizing the active participation of 14 basic sectorsโincluding farmers, artisanal fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous peoples, women, and youthโin policy development, monitoring, and resource allocation. However, because the Bangsamoro Organic Law (RA 11054) grants autonomous status to BARMM, JMC No. 001 explicitly excludes Bangsamoro ministries and local units unless the regional government formally adapts it, respecting the region's mandate to protect the culture, integrity, and dignity of its people.
Over a year has passed since the JMC's release, and although formal discussions are yet to commence, efforts are underway to overcome legal barriers to its adoption. Regional statistics indicate steady progress, and while BARMM continues to face high poverty levels, it is making strides toward improvement. Prioritizing the establishment of an official legal pathway for LPRAP adoption through active coordination among OCM, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), and NAPC demonstrates a strong commitment to positive change.
While working on formal policy integration, OCM directly addresses community needs through several relief, housing, and rehabilitation initiatives. OCM provides direct medical and financial support through Special Direct Assistance programs such as AMBAG (Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government), Project SALAM (Strengthening Access to Living Assistance to Marginalized Bangsamoro), and TABANG (Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan). Long-term welfare is supported through KAPYANAN (Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan) flagship housing projects, Support to Local Moral Governance (SLMG), and the Marawi Rehabilitation Program (MRP). The Office of the Bangsamoro Under Special Circumstances (OBMUSC), alongside Peace, Security, and Reconciliation Office (PSRO) further facilitates transitional support and reintegration assistance.
To advance regional policy alignment, Mr. Castillon presented concrete steps during the council meeting, including strengthening lobbying efforts, conducting a joint review of existing JMC guidelines, and providing technical assistance to bridge the council and NAPC with the Bangsamoro government.
These actions directly align with Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua's Mas Matatag na Bangsamoro Agenda under Executive Order No. 0002, s. 2026. This agenda drives development across five core pillars: Mas Matatag na Gobyerno (Governance), Mas Matatag na Kabuhayan (Livelihood), Mas Matatag na Pamayanan (Community), Mas Matatag na Seguridad (Security), and Mas Matatag na Paniniwala (Faith). A tailored LPRAP pathway ensures local plans feed directly into this vision, building a stronger, poverty-resilient region.
