COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), through the Official Development Assistance and Nationally Funded Program and Projects Coordination Division (ODANFPPCD), facilitated the first regular meeting of the Peace, Public Order, Safety and Security Sectoral Working Group (PPOSS SWG), gathering its member ministries, offices, and agencies (MOAs), along with international development partners on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
During the meeting, discussions were centered on specific issues concerning regional security, peace and order, shared information on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation, status of Camp Transformation Program, including identified gaps and needs, and updates on the Bangsamoro Rehabilitation and Recovery. The draft output on ways forward during the 3rd Bangsamoro International Development Partners Forum (BIDPF), focusing on PPOSS SWG was also presented during the meeting, along with proposals for a planning workshop for the PPOSS SWG.
Abdulrahman Macapendeg, Planning Officer III from the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) and the presiding chair during the meeting, representing PPOSS SWG chairperson and MPOS Minister, Hussein P. Muñoz, emphasized the need to standardize or harmonize mechanisms for addressing protection concerns arising from the recent spate of violent conflicts, known as Rido, and for managing the displacement of civilians in the region. Furthermore, the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) has recommended enhancing coordination mechanisms to monitor not only the root causes of these conflicts but also their impact on affected populations.
In line with the status of the Camps Transformation Investment Program (CTIP), Ever Abasolo of BNTF said that it will be launched within the next few weeks. All pertinent information regarding this initiative will be readily accessible on the Bangsamoro Knowledge Portal.
Mohammad Yassin Bajunaid, Development Management Officer III of BPDA, delivered an update to the committee on the status of the Bangsamoro Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (BRRP) 2023-2028 re: STS Paeng. This plan aims to provide medium- and long-term interventions, focusing on restoration, reconstruction, and the implementation of development measures to aid the affected localities and communities in recovering from the aftermath of STS Paeng, regain normalcy, and foster resilience against future disasters.
Matthew Boyall, Second Secretary of Political Affairs at the Australian Embassy, DFAT, emphasized the significance of a planning workshop to identify the ways forward of the PPOSS SWG in strengthening collaboration and partnerships between the Bangsamoro Government and development partners, as well as the implementation of programs and projects outlined in the 2nd Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) for the years 2023-2028.
Moreover, PPOSS SWG is one of the five special committees of the Bangsamoro International Development Assistance Committee (BIDAC) created under the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC).