The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has called for definitive legal guidance on the implementation and funding of 23 national education laws within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), following a high-level coordination meeting held this week.

The meeting, convened by EDCOM 2, highlighted persistent ambiguities in the interpretation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (Republic Act No. 11054), particularly Article VI, Section 13, which mandates that certain national programs and projects—such as the School Building Program—“shall continue to be funded by the National Government.” Despite this provision, several national government agencies (NGAs) have withheld support for student-oriented programs like feeding and scholarships, assuming these are already covered by BARMM’s annual block grant.

“This lack of clarity has led to service delivery gaps in critical areas such as education and nutrition,” EDCOM 2 noted, warning that the current setup risks undermining the region’s development goals and the rights of learners.

Agencies raised concerns about the absence of institutionalized coordination mechanisms and the unclear delineation of fiscal responsibilities between NGAs and the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE). Currently, coordination remains largely ad hoc, complicating efforts to align resources and set unified targets.

The commission emphasized the need for a joint accountability framework to harmonize the use of the block grant, the Special Education Fund (SEF), and national government allocations. While some agencies like TESDA have existing agreements with MBHTE, they continue to face challenges in fund liquidation. The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), however, cited a working model: a modified disbursement system approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), where unspent quarterly funds automatically revert to the national treasury.

To address the legal uncertainties, EDCOM 2 has formally requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) and DBM to issue a legal opinion that would guide all stakeholders in interpreting the law and implementing programs effectively.

The commission warned that without urgent clarification, the region could face worsening learning losses and persistent resource gaps—including the need for approximately 6,539 basic education classrooms—and continue to grapple with high rates of child stunting (34.3%) and household food insecurity (48.2%).