COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA)-Director General Engr. Mohajirin Ali presented the future and updated planning processes and development goals in the Bangsamoro autonomous region during the first BARMM Planners Congress held on Thursday, Nov. 4, in the city.
The event, which carried the theme “Harmonizing Bangsamoro Regional Government and Local Government Units Collaboration towards Good Governance and Efficient Public Service”, symbolizes an important milestone just a year after launching the 1st Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP).
“Prompting us to reflect on what occurred on this very same day, we thank all the BARMM planners who were involved in the formulation of the 1st BDP and who contributed to the concerted effort to bring the 1st BDP to fruition,” BPDA Director-General Ali said.
According to him, the success of the 1st BDP was due to the commitment of relevant development stakeholders and proactive engagement of all BARMM planners from the regional and local governments.
Transition Period 2020-2025
During the congress, Ali said that the extension of the Bangsamoro transition signals the continuation of efforts to sustain the gains of peace, saying, “we still have significant work to do to catch up in terms of achieving the development goals outlined in the 1st BDP.”
“This would also imply that the Bangsamoro Development plan will be updated in light of the 3-year BTA extension, and taking into account also the Covid-19-related challenges that we are currently facing,” Ali emphasized.
The new roadmap amid the transition phase will be focusing on the following:
- addressing the identified BARMM bureaucratic challenges and gaps;
- full establishment of BARMM bureaucracy; completion of the passage of priority legislation;
- continuing improvement of functionality and performance of LGUs;
- improving access of people to quality delivery of social services at all levels of the government;
- improving productivity in agriculture and services through value and chain approach;
- sustaining and promoting peace, public order, and safety in the region;
- mitigate emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and climate and disaster risks especially the vulnerable sectors;
- improving infrastructure support facilities; and
- Substantially provided support for the completion of Marawi rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Commitment of NEDA
In his video message, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua reiterated the support of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to BTA in establishing strong governance and relevant development assistance projects.
“NEDA commits to continue working with BARMM to address challenges, resolve issues, implement measures that are mutually beneficial to both the National Government and the BARMM Government, particularly on fiscal policies, financing requirements, legislative measures, policing, energy and power generations and the transfer and creation of new offices, among others,” Chua indicated.
“The pandemic has forced us all to rethink, reevaluate, and re-strategize our plans, which has become challenging for the Bangsamoro Government, as the region moves forward from its history of armed conflict, he added.
Uplifting the lives of Bangsamoro People
It was earlier stated by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim that BTA extension was never and will never be about power but for the whole Bangsamoro, most especially to the next generations.
Ebrahim hopes that these plans will foster camaraderie and help strengthen linkages with BARMM LGUs.
“I am appealing to all of you, my fellow public servants, to carry out your duties and responsibilities in such a way that will bring glory to our beloved BARMM. Let us continue to serve our fellow Bangsamoro with integrity, utmost dedication, dignity, and honesty,” Ebrahim said. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
