Veterans Bank, BARMM Ink Agreement for Financial Assistance Service to Mujahideen and Offsite ATM Installation

COTABATO CITY — Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will provide financial assistance disbursement services to the beneficiaries of the Office of the Bangsamoro Mujahideen Under Special Circumstance (OBMUSC) and install an offsite Automated Teller Machine (ATM) within the BARMM Compound.

This initiative underscores Veterans Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion and accessibility, ensuring that members of the Mujahideen Under Special Circumstances — defined under Section 5 of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 57 as male and female members of the MILF and MNLF who are senior citizens and/or persons with permanent or partial disability — can conveniently access their financial assistance through ATM services.

“This partnership reflects our shared mission to serve communities with dignity and efficiency, especially those who have contributed greatly to our nation’s history,” said Veterans Bank President Eulogio Catabran III. “By bringing banking services closer to the beneficiaries, we are helping ensure that financial aid reaches them securely and on time.”

BARMM officials welcomed the collaboration, noting that the installation of the ATM and the streamlined disbursement service will ease the process for beneficiaries and strengthen institutional support for the Mujahideen under special circumstances.

In an online post, BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said that the MOA with Veterans Bank will make the process of distributing assistance faster, direct, transparent and more impactful to all BARMM constituents.

The signing ceremony was attended by key representatives from both Veterans Bank and the BARMM led by Veterans Bank Chairman Emmanuel Herbosa and Chief Minister Macacua.

Photo shows the MOA signatories and witnesses including (from left) Atty. Kasharel Mayo (BARMM Cabinet Secretary Assistant II), Atty. Faharodin M. Sulaiman (BARMM Cabinet Secretary Assistant I), Marichu S. Tady (Veterans Bank Cotabato Branch Manager), Atty. Asnin Pendatun (BARMM Cabinet Secretary and Spokesperson), Veterans Bank directors VAdm. Alberto Carlos (Ret.) and PLtGen. Reynaldo Velasco (Ret.), Veterans Bank Chairman Emmanuel Herbosa, BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, Veterans Bank President Eulogio V. Catabran III, SVP Edwin T. Amahan (Veterans Bank Branch Banking Sector Head), Ariel Hernandez (Veterans Bank Institutional Branch Sales Consultant), Bangsamoro Treasurer Naila Dimaraw, OBMUSC Director Atty. Nabila E. Mohamad, and OBMUSC Administrative Officer Bai Zaida L. Abid.

As part of its continuing expansion, Philippine Veterans Bank will also open a new branch in Cotabato City next week to be headed by Ms. Marichu Tad-y, further strengthening its presence in the region and reinforcing its commitment to serving Bangsamoro communities.