The MILG traces its institutional roots to the former Department of the Interior and Local Government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DILG-ARMM), which was created in 1989 with the establishment of the ARMM through Republic Act No. 6734, later amended by RA 9054. The DILG-ARMM served as the regional counterpart of the national DILG, tasked to supervise LGUs and maintain public order and safety across the region.
Despite notable efforts, the ARMM faced challenges in delivering the full promise of autonomy. This led to renewed peace negotiations and the eventual signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The agreement laid the groundwork for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (RA 11054), which created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)—a more responsive and inclusive political entity that replaced the ARMM in 2019.
In this transition, the DILG-ARMM was restructured into the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government – BARMM. Under the new political framework, the MILG not only retained its core supervisory function but was also given expanded roles in policy development, capacity-building, program implementation, and innovation in local governance.
Amid the historic shift, the Ministry has embraced its role as a catalyst for change. It actively supports the Chief Minister’s governance priorities, particularly in laying the foundations for self-governance, institution-building, and service delivery tailored to the needs and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.
From its beginnings as a regional department under ARMM to its present role as a fully empowered ministry under BARMM, the MILG continues to lead the transformation of local governance—honoring its past while building a stronger, more resilient future for the Bangsamoro.