09/11/2025
Panglima Sugala Municipal Government receives MSSD Regional Assessment Team
The Municipal Government of Panglima Sugala represented by IPMR Jerry H Muhajil, concurrent SB Chair on Social Services, received Deputy Minister Nur-ainee T Lim, PDD Chief Jamal M Alih and regional assessment team on November 7, 2025 at SB Session Hall.
The team, acknowledged by Municipal DRRM Officer Sarimar A Atara, is in Panglima Sugala to conduct assessment on the readiness of the Municipal Government Unit of Panglima Sugala for the possible devolution of the Ministry's programs and services by 2028.
DM Nur-ainee T Lim extended her warmest congratulations to LGU Panglima Sugala for having been raised to being a first class municipality. With this, devolution would be a bit easier. She reiterated that the baseline assessment is to empower the Municipal Government of Panglima Sugala with more authority and responsibility over social welfare programs rooted in the principles Bangsamoro self-governance. "Because we are one Bangsamoro, not just M**F, not just MNLF, but one Bangsamoro, this devolution will bring services more closer to your people, making them more responsive to the local needs," she remarked.
PDD Chief JM Alih disclosed that the Standard Assessment Tool is a standardized instrument used to measure the capacity of the LGU and will serve as a guide for the gradual implementation of devolution. This will guarantee that social services are not disrupted during the transition and are continued to be provided effectively. "This transfer from MSSD to the LGU will be in full effect by 2028," he closed.
Guided by a standard assessment tool, the MSSD team ran a plenary discussion with key offices such as the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Local Youth Development Office (LYDO), Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), Human Resource and Management Officr (HRMO), and the Office of Mayor Nurbert Sahali.
The assessment primarily focused on institutional structures, policy frameworks, existence of required offices with designated or permanent employees and councils which should meet regularly, and the review of the local plans, to which the attending heads and representatives confirmed that most are already in place.
The assessment was attended by IPMR Jerry H Muhajil, MDRRM Officer Sarimar A Atara, OSCA Head Sangkula Muddihil, Project Evaluation Officer Madesan Badbaran, legislative staff, 4Ps PPOs, Parasocial workers and ECCD workers of Panglima Sugala.
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