A total of 116 delegates attend the first Private Sector Organization (PSO) Summit held on Nov. 16, 2023, at Dusit Thani Hotel, Lanang, in Davao City. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
DAVAO CITY—Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim recognized the contributions of private sectors to peace and development as an instrument in propelling the region towards a brighter future.
During the first Private Sector Organization (PSO) Summit on Nov. 16, held here in this city, the Bangsamoro Government and PSOs forged to advance better collaboration to drive economic development and sustain peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“The gains of the Bangsamoro today are a testament to the unwavering support of its people, particularly the private sector,” the Chief Minister said.
He urged the private sector to seize the opportunity to align their goals and efforts and to work together to build a Bangsamoro region that is united, enlightened, self-governing, peaceful, just, and prosperous.
“Your meaningful participation in our development efforts has left an indelible mark on the region’s achievements today. I am confident that together, we can achieve even greater things soon,” the Chief Minister added.
A total of 116 delegates from different Civil Society Organizations, Business Sectors, and representatives from BARMM’s ministries, offices, and agencies, including the academe sector across the region attended the event.
Exploring the critical role of private sector organizations in advancing peace and development, the summit highlighted three thematic areas of the forum session including Community Engagement and Development Programs for Youth, Women, and other Vulnerable Sector; Education and Research Development Sector; and Investment and Enterprise Development and Employment Generation Sector.
Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) Director-General Engr. Mohajirin Ali presented the comprehensive milestones and achievements of BARMM for the past 4 years, as well as the key points in the 2nd Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) 2023-2028.
Ali shared that the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC) accredited 32 PSOs that would enable to leverage expertise and resources contributing to more effective and inclusive governance in the region.
“Accrediting private sector organizations including civil society organizations is vital for fostering collaboration and inclusivity in regional development,” Ali said.
“Presently, the BARMM economy is characterized by a predominant focus on services, followed by agriculture, forestry, fishing, and industries. This diversified economic landscape underscores the resilience and adaptability of the region, marking a positive trajectory for sustainable growth,” he said.
Rhadzni Taalim, Executive Director of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Inc., encouraged all the co-PSOs to be a catalyst for transformative collaborations with the Bangsamoro government in shaping a brighter and more prosperous future for the BARMM.
Atty. Gilbert Sembrano, team leader and key expert on Support to Bangsamoro Transition Authority (SUBATRA) Programme’s Justice and Society Project, expressed his continuing support to the Bangsamoro-PSO partnership.
“We are trying to put together here our individual colors (identities): resources, efforts, knowledge, and skills not only for our mutual benefits but more importantly for the benefits of the Bangsamoro and its people particularly the youth, the future of our generation,” Sembrano said.
With the theme ‘Unlocking Private Sector Opportunities in BARMM: Building a Thriving Partnership towards Progressive Bangsamoro,’ the summit is in partnership with the European Union in the Philippines and Spanish Cooperation through the SUBATRA Programme, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), and BDA Inc. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
