THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has officially turned over its functions and assets to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOTC-Barmm).

The transfer of functions was held through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony on Saturday, March 27, in Cotabato City.

Also, to commemorate the 7th year anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signing, the MOTC has inaugurated the acquired one-unit speedboat worth P8.5 million.

MOTC Minister Dickson Hermoso said there will be another unit of speedboat worth P9.5 million to be acquired next year.

"The Marina can do their job as law enforcer, pertaining to registration of vessels safety at sea and increase collection of the Barmm," Hermoso said.

Part of the ceremony was the turnover of the 50-unit fiberglass motorboats from DOTr to MOTC.

"We mark another monumental step toward peace, solidarity, and economic development as it high time to harness the economic potential of Barmm toward the growth over all of this beloved country," DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Tugade added that the motorboats will not only serve as source of income, but can also be used for rescue and operation. (SunStar Zamboanga)