COTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) started drafting the medium-term 2nd Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) during the 1st Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC) sectoral committee meeting held on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022.
While considering the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Planning Guidelines and ensuring its alignment to the development thrusts and priorities of the new national leadership, the BPDA’s new plan shall sustain the gains of the Bangsamoro Government in pursuing the development priorities provided in the 1st BDP 2020-2022.
BPDA Director-General Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali considered the 1st BDP as the road map for the development of the BARMM and outlined the priority thrust and development direction of the Bangsamoro Government, covering the period of 2020-2022.
“The successor plan shall be known as 2nd BDP covering the period of 2023 to 2028. It would be a medium-term plan or 6-year plan that shall outline the development priorities of the Bangsamoro Government for the 3-year extension period and beyond,” Director-General Ali said.
While appealing to the sectoral committee members to support and cooperate in the undertakings of the plan, the Director-General is optimistic that through the collaborative efforts in development planning among ministries, offices, and agencies, the greatest aspiration for the Bangsamoro, through Moral Governance, could be fulfilled and will be able to help them uplift their lives.
Under Section 3 of Bangsamoro Appropriation Act (BAA) No. 6, the BEDC shall serve as the socio-economic planning, monitoring and coordinating agency for all development plans, programs, and projects of the Bangsamoro Government. It shall also evaluate and recommend short, medium, and long-term comprehensive development plans, programs, and projects for the BARMM, for approval by the parliament.
The BEDC Sectoral Committees, which shall spearhead the formulation of the 2nd BDP, are composed of the Development Administration Committee (DACom); Peace, Public Order, Safety and Security Committee (PPOSSCom); Social Development Committee (SDCom); Economic Development Committee (EDCom); and Infrastructure Development Committee (IDCom) and it was expected to formulate the plan before the end of this year (2022).
Meanwhile, Ma. Ruzella Quilla, National Programme Development and Coordination Specialist and Team leader Socio-Economic, DRR and CCA Team of Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (UNFAO), mentioned the need to evaluate and identify priorities strategies for the next BDP.
“We are happy and honored to be part of BARMM’s new journey in crafting the next development plan in setting new hope and direction for the welfare of the Bangsamoro People,” Quilla said.
“Definitely, we are committed to continuing our support to BARMM especially for the benefits of the most vulnerable population in the region,” she stressed. (Kasan M. Usop, Jr./BIO)
