World Bulletin/News Desk

The governor of the Philippines’ autonomous Muslim region delivered his last State of the Region Address in Cotabato City on Monday, extolling the importance of a Bangsamoro government he said is far better than the region it will replace - the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Addressing thousands of guests and officials and a delegation from the region's one time largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Governor Mujiv Hataman said: "What we have reached today I am sure that more can be accomplished when the Bangsamoro is established."

The address is expected to be the last by Hataman prior to the expected introduction of Bangsamoro Basic Law early next year.

The law -- that will legalize the creation of the Bangsamoro government -- would be introduced under a framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in March 27, 2014 between the government and the MILF.

Upon passage of the law, the 25-year old region will be abolished and replaced by the new political entity, called the Bangsamoro government.

Turkey has a leading role in the process, in particular the decommissioning of the Front’s weaponry. During a visit earlier this month, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pledged to support the peace process.

During Monday's address, Hataman spelled out the accomplishments of his administration, which has been entrusted with reforming the regional bureaucracy, adding that it "will mark a new beginning and brighter future for the Bangsamoro."

"It is my aspiration to making the realization of what our forefathers have been fighting for and I am also saying that the Bangsamoro Basic Law is far better than the Republic Act 9054," said Hataman.

Act 9054 was passed for the expansion of the ARMM to include the areas which initially rejected inclusion and the provinces which were carved from them

"Likewise, if there is other more than the BBL then we have to advance it," he added.