Murad to defunct ARMM employees: Remain In Your Post

By ASA T. MADALE

March 4, 2019

COTABATO CITY: Chief Minister Alhaj Murad Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Monday told employees of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to remain in their post.

Ebrahim said that consistent with his earlier statement, the employees status in the BARMM will be determined by the nature of their appointment. 

"For the permanent," he said, "you remain in your post until the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has finally adopted the transition plan as well as the schedule for its implementation."

Ebrahim was addressing the BARMM workers during the First Flag Ceremony heldin frontt of the Regional Office.

"For those holding contract of service, we shall honor such contract in general, but a review of the nature of the job and your performance shall also be made. For those co-terminus, I know that you are also aware that your service has to end simultaneously with the end of the term of the one who appointed you," Ebrahim added.

He said, "All of us will experience some measures of difficulties in the coming days or weeks or even months. There would be several administrative, fiscal, organizational, legal, and perhaps even relational matters to be resolved as we progress in the transition process."

Ebrahim said his only request to the BARMM workers is their cooperation.

"I truly understand your concern for your career, but somehow we have to start this overhauling of the regional government," he pointed out.

"A ministerial form of government will be established necessitating bureaucratic changes, that is changes in structures, processes and even people. We have to remember that the constitutional provisions on the creation of our autonomous region is grounded on the history of the struggle of our people for,among other things, the opportunity to improve their lives and their communities," Ebrahim said.

The chief minister said: "Unfortunately, over the last 30 years, this region remains to be at lowest rankings in terms of human development indices.

"We do not intend to engage in blame-game. After all, the MILF has always been consistent in its stand that the defunct ARMM could never solve the Bangsamoro Problem.

"Now, we have this great opportunity to realize the provisions of the BOL, which is actually set on the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro as well as other peace agreements.

"We believe that a ministerial form of government can cure the defects in our governance -foremost of which is its distinct feature of fusion of executive and legislative branches that easily facilitates mutual checks and balance.

"These changes may be good or bad for you on the personal level, but I ask you to go beyond personal interest. We have seen how difficult it to sacrifice personal comfort for a great cause. But, always, at the end sacrifices and pure intentions are rewarded.

"And so, on our second working week, let us go to our respective offices with the same, or even more, amount of dedication, professionalism, and productivity that every public servant is expected of."

Ebrahim thanked the Bureau of Fire Protection for leading the flag ceremony, saying that he was hopeful that the annual observance of March as Fire Prevention Month "would continue to instill in the consciousness of our people the right attitude, behavior, and vigilance in fire prevention." (ASA T. MADALE/RSP).