Sulu province now under Zamboanga region
Sulu province will now be part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region after the Supreme Court excluded the province from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to an executive order of President Marcos.
The President signed Executive Order No. 91 on July 30 to ensure the continuity of government operations and uninterrupted delivery of critical public services in the country.
During the transition period covering fiscal year 2025, Sulu’s provincial government and its component local government units (LGUs) and relevant national government agencies are directed to “make all reasonable efforts to facilitate a phased and seamless transition,” the EO declared.
The Bangsamoro government, Sulu’s provincial government and its component LGUs may enter into appropriate institutional arrangements or mechanisms aimed at sustaining the implementation and financing of programs, activities and projects to ensure continued and uninterrupted services.
EO 91 orders all relevant national government agencies to include Sulu under Zamboanga Peninsula for regional administration, development planning, investment programming and budgeting and other relevant purposes under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
EO 91 created a technical working group to oversee and monitor the implementation of the SC decision, prepare and issue a transition plan, and resolve issues and concerns arising from the implementation of the high court’s ruling.
The EO tasked the working group to submit to the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, an annual report on the implementation of the order.
Personnel holding permanent posts who may be affected by the transition have the option to apply for transfer to positions in agencies, either under the BARMM government, the executive branch or LGUs with an equivalent rank, level or salary.
Personnel who would opt to retire or separate from the service are entitled to separation incentives and other benefits.
Affected personnel with permanent appointments who retired or separated from the service are prohibited from reemployment in any agency or instrumentality of the executive branch for five years.
The employment ban does not cover other branches of the government or local governments.
EO 91, which was made public on Saturday, takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
