COTABATO CITY – As part of the Data Collection Survey to address the needs and challenges of Bangsamoro communities, the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) awarded on Thursday, Sept. 16, the top five (5) best entries of the recent “Bangsamoro Idea Challenge – A Call for Innovative Ideas” contest.
The online contest, which started last July 12 until August 2, 2021, was participated by different individuals and organizations from across the five provinces of the Bangsamoro region. The innovative ideas of the proponents were pre-ranked by the IC Net Limited, JICA, and representatives from the different BARMM ministries.
Out of 41 entries, the five (5) excellent ideas which were given recognition are the following:
- Garbage Recycle Project of Ms. Nurhanniesa M. Derico from Hope for Young Individual, Inc. – MILG Best Idea Award recipient;
- Bangsamoro Community Law of Ms. Kharsum H. Mohammad – JICA Best Idea Award recipient;
- Floating Academy of Mr. Esmael U. Sema (Kaliyot B. Sali Peace Academy, Inc.) – MILG and JICA awards recepient;
- Weaving Every Dream of Sama Dilaut in Tawi-Tawi led by Mr. Nur-mukin A. Usman of 3i – MILG award recipient; and
- MFC: Battle against the Misinfodemic by Ms. Amalhayah M. Alikhan – JICA award recipient.
The project heads virtually presented their innovative ideas and answered queries raised by the ministries.
“We pray that we could optimize our function to really help our people especially in coming up with great and new ideas, exploring and making a difference in order to provide basic services and address issues that our people and region are facing right now,” said MILG Director Fausiah Romancap-Abdula, who represented Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo.
“We were very much privileged that we recognized these top 5 winners for providing the innovative projects which we will hopefully implement and realize for the greater benefit of our Bangsamoro people,” Abdula added.
Meanwhile, Ryutaro Murotani, Senior Director of the Office for Peacebuilding, Governance and Peacebuilding Department – JICA acknowledged and reiterated the importance of ideas pitched by the proponents in addressing the challenges and needs in the region.
“In the Covid-19 situation, we have many limitations so we need some innovative ideas so that we can overcome these challenges. We will continue to conduct this type of exercise so that we can have more ideas from varieties of people – including the youth, women, and other people in Mindanao,” Murotani said.
He also shared that the JICA Study Team is working on said Data Collection Survey to continue supporting the Bangsamoro region and formulate new projects in the future.
“I really hope that this study will help us in identifying the challenges of the people in Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), so we can support the full establishment of the BARMM Government along with the peace and stability in Mindanao,” Murotani concluded. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
