COTABATO CITY—Officials and members of the sectoral committees under the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC) convened on March 2-4, 2022 to take part in the refinement workshop for the assessment of the 1st Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) 2020-2022 held in Davao City.
The three-day activity, which was supported and assisted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and The Asia Foundation (TAF)-Forward Bangsamoro, was facilitated by the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA).
Among the objectives of the activity were the assessment on BARMM’s macroeconomic performance; analysis on the identified gaps, challenges, and problems; and refinement of identified objectives and strategies from the previous assessment workshop conducted.
BPDA Director-General Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali underscored the vital role of planning in the development and progress of the Bangsamoro region and the entire country as well.
“Let us always be reminded that it is our responsibility to assure that we have timely, accurate, and reliable data that help us in the formulation of responsive and sensitive plans and policies because it is the core of our decision-making and policy-making,” Ali, who is also the BEDC vice chairperson and head of the technical secretariat, said.
He also acknowledged the efforts and dedication of the officials and members from the 5 sectoral committees in realizing the Bangsamoro Government’s ultimate goal of improving the lives of the Bangsamoro through the development of plans responsive to their needs and aspirations.
“We are facing critical timeframe ahead such as the alignment of our schedule for the formulation of the second BDP, updating and enhancement of the Chief Minister’s priority agenda in the 2nd quarter of this year that will serve as the basis for next year’s budgeting,” Ali said, taking into account the May 2022 elections and the coming of new chief executives by the 2nd quarter as well as the drafting of second BDP in the third quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua, represented by Deputy Senior Minister Abdullah Cusain, said that the refinement of assessment outputs of the Development Plan formulation for 2023-2028 is part of their commitment to sustain the gains that have already achieved and to accelerate peace and development efforts for the well-being of the people.
“We all have the same aspirations in uplifting the lives of the Bangsamoro through moral governance, and we implore everyone to lend your full support to the success and realization of our development agenda,” Macacua stressed.
Azukizawa Eigo of JICA expressed their agency’s full support and commitment in providing assistance to attain regional development.
“We do have it in our hands to address pressing social and economic challenges with genuine meaningful autonomy and as a long-standing partner of the Bangsamoro people,” Eigo said, adding that JICA has always been committed in providing assistance.
“Well-organized BDP is indispensable for financial autonomy, for budget planning, and stable disbursement and public finance management that will serve as a guide to sound comprehensive public investments and good service delivery,” he added.
Throughout the seven workshop sessions, Mr. Ever J. Abasolo, Consultant for TAF-Forward Bangsamoro and an expert on macroeconomics, served as the key facilitator and resource person of the activity.
As the highlight of the activity, Mr. Abasolo prepped up by acquainting the participants with a sectoral mindset and a presentation of BARMM’s macroeconomic and welfare trends.
He dwelled heavily on assessing sectoral contributions to BARMM’s key macroeconomic and welfare trends, problem tree analysis and formulation strategy of the overall goal of the region’s plan.
The members of the 5 sectoral committees of BEDC that took part in the refinement of the 1st BDP’s assessment are the Development Administration Committee (DACom), Economic Development Committee (EDCom), Social Development Committee (SDCom), Peace, Public Order, Safety and Security Committee (PPOSSCom), and Infrastructure Development Committee (IDCom). (Kasan M. Usop, Jr./BIO)
