“Development must be measured not only by economic growth or programs implemented, but by better education, productive employment, accessible services, and improved opportunities for communities.” With those words, PIDS President Philip Arnold Tuaño framed the central tension facing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). While the region is posting macroeconomic wins, officials are warning that these numbers won’t mean much if they don’t translate into a better daily life for the average citizen.
The conversation came to a head at the 3rd Bangsamoro Development Policy Research Forum in Cotabato City, an event organized by the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). The forum served as a reality check: BARMM is growing, but it is struggling to ensure that growth actually reaches the people who need it most.
A sharp drop in poverty meets rising unemployment
On paper, the progress is staggering. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows that family poverty incidence in BARMM plummeted from 26 percent in 2023 to 12.8 percent by 2025. That is a shift in a very short window, coupled with a regional economy that grew by 5 percent in 2025.
But the “so what” of this data reveals a worrying gap. While fewer families are technically living in poverty, the region is struggling to keep people working. Unemployment rose from 3 percent in 2024 to 3.9 percent in 2025. Even more concerning is the human capital deficit; in 2024, BARMM recorded the lowest basic literacy rate in the country, with only 81 percent of people aged five and older being literate.
When you put these numbers side-by-side, a clear picture emerges. The region is seeing wealth creation and poverty reduction, but it isn’t yet seeing a commensurate rise in skills or job stability.
| Indicator | Previous Period | 2024/2025 Status |
|---|---|---|
| Family Poverty Incidence | 26% (2023) | 12.8% (2025) |
| Economic Growth | — | 5% (2025) |
| Unemployment Rate | 3% (2024) | 3.9% (2025) |
| Basic Literacy Rate | — | 81% (2024) |
The struggle for service delivery in conflict zones
BPDA Director General Mohajirin Ali didn’t mince words about where the system is failing. He noted that despite the improved economic performance, there are still gaping holes in nutrition, education, and workforce readiness. These gaps are most acute in communities that are geographically isolated or conflict-affected.
To fix this, Ali is pushing for research-driven budgets and programs that are actually coordinated across government agencies.
Richelle Alburo, a Senior Research Fellow at PIDS, stressed that it is essential to evaluate if the activities and resources of government initiatives result in actual, concrete improvements in the lives of citizens. Alburo also pointed to the importance of open government systems that enable the public to obtain dependable data, engage in policy debates, and ensure public officials remain accountable.
Bridging the skills mismatch
One of the most concrete attempts to solve the unemployment spike is the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan 2025-2034. Romel Patrick Tanghal, OIC and regional director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Regional Office 12, presented this framework as a way to align labor market governance with actual industry needs.
The plan focuses on several critical levers:
- Reducing “skills mismatches” where graduates hold degrees that local industries don’t need.
- Providing targeted support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- Improving the flow of labor market information so job seekers know where the opportunities are.
However, the success of this plan depends on BARMM’s ability to adapt national policies to its own unique authority. Tanghal noted that while the national framework provides the guide, the actual implementation must be localized to reflect the specific requirements of Bangsamoro communities.
Moving beyond political appointments
Dominador Gonzales Jr., director of the Civil Service Commission for BARMM, introduced the PRIME-ESG framework.
Gonzales argued that excellence in public service shouldn’t stop at the hiring process. It must extend to how employees are developed, how their performance is managed, and how leadership continuity is ensured.
Without strong institutions and coordination, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan plan and poverty-reduction gains may not translate into better public services and economic opportunities. As Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno pointed out in a recorded message, resilient institutions are the only way to sustain peace in the long run.
The forum ended with a call from BPDA Research Development and Special Projects Bureau Director Kadil Sulaik Jr. to turn these academic discussions into concrete actions.
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