Written by: Meredel Fe P. Fullo | Photos by: Beatriz Faye G. Carreon

Cotabato City, January 20, 2025 – The 1st Digital Bangsamoro Summit, themed Defying Boundaries, Empowering Bangsamoro Communities, brought together leaders and innovators to advance digital transformation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Bangsamoro Information and Communications Techonology Office (BICTO), the summit showcased groundbreaking initiatives, including the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between MILG and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IX. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration on digital governance.

Key discussions centered on streamlining services, building resilient digital infrastructure, advancing local governance through the LeAPS Program, and promoting financial inclusion. Notable speakers included Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Edwin Carrie, and ARTA Director General Gerald Divinagracia.

The summit emphasized the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in leveraging technology for sustainable development, marking a significant step toward a more connected and empowered Bangsamoro region.