Photo courtesy of BPDA
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO), convened Monday, Dec. 19 in Davao City the different planning officers from BARMM’s ministries, offices, agencies, and local government units (LGUs) during the 2nd Bangsamoro Planners Congress.
Bearing the theme “Strengthening Regional and Local Planners Linkages and Collaboration towards Holistic Socioeconomic Development in the Bangsamoro”, this year’s Planners Congress aimed to strengthen the technical capabilities of the BARMM planners at the regional, provincial, city, and municipal levels on the basic principles of green economy, macroeconomics, application of different analytical tools, and interpretation of economic trends to effectively design and implement plans and programs for the Bangsamoro.
BPDA Director-General Engr. Mohajirin Ali emphasized the critical role of regional and local planners as primary actors in charting the development direction of the BARMM.
“This gathering of key planners in the region is an avenue to discuss regional and local issues and concerns and strategies on how to complement and harmonize development efforts to strengthen vertical linkages, harmonization, collaboration, and partnership,” Ali said.
Engr. Ali further highlighted the significant achievement of the region as the second fastest economy in the country, including its structural change in the economic landscape and the historic drop in poverty incidence, as well as presented the macroeconomic targets of the BARMM for 2023-2028.
Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim acknowledged the efforts and contributions of all regional and local planners, especially with their participation during the series of activities associated with the formulation of the 2nd BDP and other essential documents of the region, such as the first Bangsamoro Ecological Profile, BARMM Development Policy Research Agenda, and Bangsamoro Spatial Strategies.
“The autonomous regional government has seen and witnessed the efforts of our planners in the region. Taking this arduous job requires perseverance, dedication, hard work, and patience, which all of these were highly appreciated by your regional government,” the Chief Minister said.
“The future of the Philippines lies with the progress of Mindanao, and the future of Mindanao lies in the development of the Bangsamoro,” Director Joey Recimilla stressed while delivering the message of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Maria Belen Acosta. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
