COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) together with the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS), Development Academy of the Bangsamoro (DAB), and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) convened Tuesday, January 12, for exploratory talks in preparation for the crafting of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Research and Development Agenda held at BPDA Conference Hall, BPDA Building, Bangsamoro Government Center, this city.

Palawan Mamaon, BPDA Research and Development Division Chief, who represented BPDA Director General Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali emphasized the need to formulate the research and development agenda of the BARMM.

“We don’t have a legitimate BARMM Research Agenda. We do have many things to study, there are many things to research,” Mamaon said.

He also said that BARMM remains a supplier of raw materials due to lack of research and innovation.

“Our products before are still our products today. We are still suppliers of raw materials because we don’t have innovation. We have to formulate our BARMM research agenda wherein all-important research studies are there,” Mamaon added.

BPDA Development Management Officer III Mary-Ann Abutazil showed a presentation on crafting the BARMM research agenda which highlighted the researches stated in the Bangsamoro Development Plan 2020-2022. Also, two research-related projects were presented by IBS Research Specialist Sarah Radam.

Moreover, MOST Senior Science Research Specialist Moammer Tabara disclosed the formulation status of the BARMM Priority Research and Development Agenda.

“At the moment, we are now on the creation of Science and Technology Research Council with Technical Working Group. The MOST will spearhead the activity,” Tabara said.

DAB President Dr. Norodin Salam was elated for the gathering of the said offices to discuss the preparation in crafting the BARMM Research and Development Agenda.

“This is a good start for us to re-engineer our research skills and capabilities. This is for capacity mobilization. We will align those who have the interest of research and hope that we can start policy directions that are based on our own research,” Salam stressed.

Meanwhile, this activity will be followed by a series of meetings and workshops to continue the formulation of the BARMM Research and Development Agenda. (BPDA-BARMM)