Sulu Transition Group Finalizes Education Safeguards in Key Meeting
The Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Sulu Transition held a crucial meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2026, to finalize critical measures aimed at ensuring uninterrupted education services in the province. The session, which took place at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), was co-presided over by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Deputy Minister of the Interior and Local Government Eddie Alih.
Finalizing Agreements for Seamless Education Operations
The TWG is now finalizing agreements designed to guarantee the seamless operation of education institutions and the continued protection of workers in Sulu. This development follows the group's Thursday meeting, where transition measures were discussed to pave the way for uninterrupted delivery of education services while safeguarding teachers and education personnel.
In a joint statement issued on Friday night, the DBM, OPAPRU, and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) provided an update on the transition plans for Sulu. The TWG announced that a draft joint memorandum among the Commission on Higher Education, the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), and the Mindanao State University regarding interim operational arrangements for the Hadji Butu School of Arts and Trades (HBSAT) and the Lapak Agricultural School (LAPAK) will be signed on March 13.
Key Measures and Financial Support
A formal resolution will also be issued to support the implementation of measures allowing the Bangsamoro Government to fund the salaries of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language teachers, Abot Kaalaman sa Pamilyang Bangsamoro instructors, and para-teachers in Sulu for Fiscal Year 2026. Additionally, the renewal of all contracts of service workers will proceed under standard MBHTE processes.
The BARMM will further study Sulu's request for the allocation of funds for Capital Outlays, specifically for LAPAK and HBSAT. Meanwhile, the DBM and the Department of the Interior and Local Government will hold another consultation meeting with the Civil Service Commission and the BARMM to finalize the Joint Memorandum Circular on Personnel Options, which will provide detailed guidelines and clear pathways for all affected employees.
Commitment to Education Continuity
DBM Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo affirmed the TWG's commitment to fast-track the implementation of measures ensuring the continuity of education and protecting those who serve on the front lines of learning. "President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has given a clear directive: the transition in Sulu must not interrupt education and must not place our teachers and education workers at risk. We are moving swiftly so that schools remain open, teachers continue to receive support, and learners in Sulu can pursue their dreams without disruption," Toledo stated.
Strengthening Governance and Public Services
MILG Deputy Minister Eddie Alih emphasized that the transition would help strengthen governance structures and improve the delivery of public services in Sulu. "The Bangsa Sug have a long history of resilience and dignity. As we navigate the administrative nuances of this transition, let us honor that history by delivering a governance structure that is responsive, transparent, and inclusive," Alih said.
He added, "Our goal is simple yet profound: a transition so stable that the transition itself becomes invisible to the citizen, leaving only the visible impact of improved public service."
The collaborative efforts underscore a focused approach to maintaining educational stability in Sulu during this critical administrative period.
