THE British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) lauded the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s progress in digitalization, citing its continued efforts to strengthen digital governance following the first parliamentary elections there.
For the chamber, a successful and secure election can help bring opportunities in strengthening investor confidence and creating conditions for more economic activity and investment within the region.
In an interview, Executive Vice Chairman Chris Nelson expressed the BCCP’s support for the electoral exercise and emphasized the need for stability to attract investment to the region.
According to Nelson, ‘This will drive investments because I think livelihood and economic growth [are keys] to the whole going forward, not just for Bangsamoro, but also for the whole Philippines.’
The chamber’s emphasis on digitalization stems from the ongoing expansion of digital governance initiatives within the region by BARMM government agencies and international development partners. Key programs such as the Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services, or ‘LeAPS,’ support the region’s digital transformation by using information and communications technology (ICT) to improve public services and automate paper-based processes.
Through a partnership between BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government and the United Nations Development Program, the initiative has created the Bangsamoro Digital Center in Cotabato City, centralizing online government services and improving public access. The region also holds ICT training programs for micro, small, and medium enterprises, supporting the Philippine national government’s directive to advance digitalization.
The BARMM economy expanded by 5 percent in 2025-up from 3.5 percent in 2024. The region’s economy sits at P266.59 billion, with health and social services (13.9 percent), education (12 percent), and public administration (9.6 percent) leading the region’s industries.
Nelson underscored the importance of continuing electoral reforms to make the Philippines more attractive to foreign investors as global economic pressures continue to weaken foreign direct investment sentiment. He pointed to the Cybersecurity Act, Digital Payments Act, and Open Finance Act as key legislation that could help strengthen the country’s digital economy and support consumer activity.
As the newly elected BARMM parliament begins its term, the chamber sees the region’s major step as an opportunity to advance politically by strengthening economic foundations, attracting investments, creating livelihoods, and connecting Bangsamoro communities to the larger digital economy.
The BARMM’s parliamentary elections on September 14 marked a significant milestone for its transition toward an elected regional government. With around 2.4 million registered voters participating in the region’s first electoral polling, the exercise marked an important step toward stronger regional governance, stability, and long-term economic development.