Assalammualaykum. wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu! Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed fellow ambassadors and distinguished guests, As a Muslim professional from Mindanao with fourteen years of experience working alongside various leaders, stakeholders, and sectors on programs aimed at improving the Philippines, I stand before you to explore a metaphor that resonates deeply with our shared aspirations and challenges: "swimming in uncharted waters." These waters symbolize the complexities and uncertainties that we face in our journey toward peace, development, and inclusive progress. The Philippines, with its rich archipelago, vibrant cultures, and diverse communities, has tremendous potential. However, we also confront the biggest challenge of appropriating budgets for developmental projects and programs that can turn this potential into reality. As we navigate these murky waters, our compass must be our commitment to equity, justice, and inclusivity. Let us begin by examining one ...