𝐁𝐏𝐃𝐀, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐃𝐀 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐌𝐎𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐞𝐯’𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) officially signed on Wednesday, June 08 a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in pursuit to strengthen commitment and cooperation towards accelerating socio-economic growth, promoting business opportunities, integration, and development in the Bangsamoro region.

BPDA Director General Engr. Mohajirin Ali and MinDA Chair Secretary Maria Belen Acosta led the MOC signing held at the BPDA Conference Hall with the presence of some Bangsamoro government officials and select MinDA representatives.

In his message, DG Ali said the signing signals the beginning of stronger partnership and closer collaboration between the BPDA and MinDA towards a more robust participation among Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Mindanao Peace and Development (MIPAD), and other inter-regional development initiatives in Mindanao.

“This significant milestone comes at a critical juncture, particularly for the Bangsamoro government, which is navigating a delicate transition while pursuing socioeconomic recovery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Citing MOC as a framework for enabling discussions on various fields of cooperation and developmental interventions in BARMM and BIMP-EAGA, DG Ali stressed it was a distinct privilege for BPDA to partner with the Mindanao’s lead agency in coordinating and integrating development efforts meant to accelerate socio-economic development of Mindanao.

“This cooperation will undoubtedly pave the way for BARMM’s more robust participation in the BIMP-EAGA, MinPAD – RISE, and other inter-regional development initiatives in Mindanao.  More importantly, this will advance strategic engagements for long-term peace and development in BARMM and Mindanao as a whole,” DG Ali said.

For her part, MinDA Chair Secretary Acosta underscored that the Bangsamoro region has always been an important focus area of MinDA’s development initiatives for Mindanao as it plays a strategic, historical, and cultural value in the Philippines’ commitment and participation under the BIMP-EAGA and sub-regional cooperation.

“As we collectively work together to sustain the gains of peace, we will not cease in pushing for a BARMM and Mindanao that is resilient, peaceful, progressive, and globally competitive. I strongly believe that this collaboration will make BARMM an economic powerhouse and a strategic EAGA player of Mindanao,” Acosta emphasized. Meanwhile, said historic MOC signing was witnessed by BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun who represented Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, Minister Abu Amri Taddik of the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT), Minister Dickson Hermoso of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Director Engr. Ismael Guiamel of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), MinDA Under Secretary Janet Lopoz, BPDA Deputy Director General Engr. Amil Abubakar, and other key officials from BPDA and MinDA.  (BPDA-BARMM)