Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) praised the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government after the region secured P5.1 billion worth of approved investments during the early months of 2026, describing it as a clear sign of growing investor trust and continued economic progress in the region.
Figures released by the Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) showed that approved investments in BARMM had already reached P5.1 billion as of April, exceeding the region’s total investment approvals for the entire 2025, which stood at P5 billion.
The BBOI also reported that the new investments are expected to generate around 2,583 jobs across the Bangsamoro region.
Sarmiento said the surge in investments reflects the increasing confidence of both local and foreign investors in BARMM, which he attributed to years of peacebuilding and normalization efforts jointly pursued by the national government and the regional administration.
He congratulated BBOI Chairperson Mohamad Omar Pasigan and the Bangsamoro leadership headed by Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua for what he described as a significant achievement for the region.
According to Sarmiento, the investment growth demonstrates that the Bangsamoro is steadily transforming into a more stable and business-friendly area.
“This level of investor confidence is the product of years of work in strengthening institutions, improving security, and building an environment where businesses can grow,” he said.
The peace adviser also emphasized that economic progress and peace efforts are closely linked, noting that improved peace and order conditions in BARMM have encouraged investors to look at the region with renewed optimism.
“When governance is effective and communities are stable, investments naturally come in. What is happening in BARMM today proves that peace agreements can create real economic opportunities for people on the ground,” Sarmiento said.
He added that the approved investments would not only stimulate economic activity but also provide employment and livelihood opportunities for thousands of Bangsamoro residents.
“These investments mean jobs, stronger livelihoods, and brighter opportunities for families in the region. They show that lasting peace brings concrete benefits to communities,” he added.
Sarmiento further said BARMM’s performance sends a strong message to both the country and the international community that conflict-affected areas can successfully transform into productive economic centers through good governance and sustained peace initiatives.
He also commended the Bangsamoro government and its development partners for continuing reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and attracting more investors to the region.
“The leadership of BARMM has shown that progress is possible when there is a shared vision and sound policies,” he said. “The challenge now is to sustain this momentum and ensure that every Bangsamoro citizen benefits from these gains.”
Sarmiento reiterated the national government’s commitment to supporting BARMM as it continues implementing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and prepares for future political milestones.
He said the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to ensuring that peace continues to serve as the foundation for long-term development in the region.
“As we move toward a fully normalized and progressive Bangsamoro, the national government will continue working closely with the regional leadership and all stakeholders,” Sarmiento said. “We want BARMM’s transformation to become a lasting success story for the entire nation.”