COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC), chaired by Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, approved six (6) resolutions endorsed by its sectoral committees during its first regular meeting on April 13, held here at the Office of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA).
Among the adopted resolutions was creation of Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia – the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Economic Growth Linkages Sub-Committee, under the Economic Development Committee (EDCom), which is set to provide the mechanism for greater coordination of BARMM programs, projects, and activities for BIMP-EAGA.
The creation of the sub-committee aims to enhance and strengthen collaboration and partnership of BARMM with the network of the National and Mindanao agencies and institutions involved in the BIMP-EAGA.
During the meeting, Deputy Executive Director ASec. Romeo Montenegro of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) provided latest updates and development in BIMP-EAGA and cited the need for institutionalized set-up within the BARMM.
BEDC also approved resolutions on Bangsamoro Regional Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (BDCFIDP) 2022-2026 and its endorsement to the Philippine Coconut Authority Board for inclusion to the National Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP); inclusion of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM-BARMM) and Philippine Coast Guard – BARMM District (PCG-BARMM) as additional members of the Peace, Public Order, Safety and Security Committee (PPOSSCom) chaired by MPOS Minister Hussein Muñoz; and the creation of BARMM Sub-Committee on Internal and International Migration (BSCIIMD) under the Social Development Committee (SDCom) chaired by Social Services and Development Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie.
Through the SDCom, BEDC also approved a resolution creating the Bangsamoro Committee on Disability Affairs (BCDA).
“This sub-committee will draft policies and propose legislations concerning the rights and well-being of the persons with disabilities (PWDs),” Jajurie said.
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth H. Mission of Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) also presented their resolution endorsing list of proposed programs and projects for inclusion in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Budget Proposal for fiscal year 2023. The resolution was also adopted by BEDC.
The BEDC is vice-chaired by the BPDA, with its members composing the Senior Minister, minister of the Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management (MFBM), Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament Speaker and Majority and Minority Floor Leaders, all provincial governors and city mayors, five sectoral committee chairs, and five private sector representatives in the Bangsamoro region. (Kasan M. Usop, Jr./BIO)
