𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

COTABATO CITY — Ahod B. Ebrahim, chairperson of the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC) and chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government, approved on Wednesday, August 4, around ten (10) resolutions proposed by BEDC’s sectoral committees during its second regular meeting held at the Conference Hall 2 of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), Bangsamoro Government Center in this city.

In his statement, CM Ebrahim said that regular meetings are essential in improving networks to develop the Bangsamoro region thru deliberation of vital issues and concerns that are requiring actions of the Council. 

“I hope that the discussions, insights, and decisions we will have in today’s meeting will serve as a helpful guide in continuity and furtherance of our efforts,” he stressed while citing the need for continuing support and commitment in providing the needed services to improve the living condition of the Bangsamoro. 

𝑻𝒘𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑨𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆 (𝑫𝑨𝑪𝒐𝒎)

BPDA Director General Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali, BEDC vice chairperson and head of the technical secretariat, presented the proposed resolution endorsing to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) the application for the dispatch of BARMM Advisor on Institutional Development (Individual Expert) under the Japan’s Technical Cooperation for its endorsement to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“The BTA would like to request the Government of Japan to dispatch successors of individual experts and/or advisors, aiming at promoting and sustaining peace in Mindanao region,” he said as this will facilitate the smooth implementation of the transition process, especially focused on crucial issues such as coordination within BTA, coordination with government agencies and development partners, budget planning process, and formulation of development plan.

After thorough deliberation, the Council approved the said proposal to proceed with the process and instructed the committee to review and ensure its complementation with the powers and authorities granted to the Bangsamoro government as stated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Furthermore, Camelia N. de Vera-Dacanay, Macro-Economic Planning Division Chief of the BPDA, presented the resolution approving the inclusion of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC), Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority (BPA), Bangsamoro Transitions Authority’s Office of the Secretary General and Planning Division, and Office for Settler Communities (OSC) as regular members of the said committee.  DACom recognizes the significant roles and functions of the abovementioned offices to the establishment of the foundations for an inclusive, transparent, accountable, and efficient governance.  This proposed resolution was also approved by the Council.

𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆 (𝑬𝑫𝑪𝒐𝒎)

Hussein Biruar, Trade and Industry’s Bureau Director of the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT), presented to the Council the resolution endorsing the Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development Growth (RAPID Growth) Project Phase 2 to the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC).  This will sustainably increase the income of small farmers and unemployed rural women and men across selected value chains.

Being the committee chair, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) represented by Director II Ismail Guialel, discussed the resolution approving for the inclusion of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) and Ministry of Public Works (MPW) as regular members of the EDCom.

Moreover, the resolution endorsing the proposed 2023 Budget Proposal of the National Food Authority (NFA-BARMM) to the NFA-Central Office for consideration in their 2023 Budget Proposal.  This has been presented by NFA-BARMM Assistant Regional Manager II Lydia I. Arsad. 

Following the presentation of MTIT, MAFAR, and NFA-BARMM, and the in-depth deliberation of the Council members, these three (3) resolutions were also approved by the BEDC.

𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆 (𝑺𝑫𝑪𝒐𝒎)

Lyca M. Sarenas, Chief of Staff of the Social Services and Development Minister Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie, presented the proposed resolution for the inclusion of the Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority (BPA) as regular member of the SDCom. 

“The BPA is primarily responsible for the administration of the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia of pilgrims from within the Bangsamoro,” she explained.

The Council approved the said resolution, thereby seeing the BPA’s importance in promoting the Bangsamoro’s culture and identities.

𝑻𝒘𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆 (𝑰𝑫𝑪𝒐𝒎)

The resolution approving the creation of the Sub-Committee on Transport under the IDCom was presented by Engr. Mohaimen Phari, Engineer V of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC).  The creation of the said sub-committee will ensure more effective inter-ministerial coordination in the formulation and implementation of government plans and programs relating to transport development in the BARMM.

Also, Director Salonga Sumampao from the Technical Services of the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), discussed the resolution for the inclusion of the Ministry of Finance Budget and Management (MFBM), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and Bangsamoro Information and Communication Technology (BICTO) as regular members of the IDCom. 

Accordingly, MOST and BICTO have plans, programs, and activities that involve the development and implementation of comparative infrastructures, both physical and systems.  On the other hand, the MFBM is responsible for the formulation, institutionalization, and administration of fiscal policies in coordination with other concerned ministries, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Bangsamoro government. 

The abovementioned two (2) resolutions were approved after thorough deliberation of the Council members.

𝑩𝑬𝑫𝑪’𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝑺𝑼-𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒐’𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑫𝑩𝑴; 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝑺𝑶𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝑬𝑫𝑪

Bai Hejira Nefertiti M. Limbona, Chancellor of the Mindanao State University (MSU-Maguindanao), presented and explained the resolution endorsing the MSU-Maguindanao’s proposed projects to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).  The said institution seeks for the Bangsamoro government’s endorsement to the national government regarding the sixteen (16) projects of the local government units in Maguindanao for MSU-Maguindanao.  The Council approved the said resolution endorsing the abovementioned to the DBM.

Meanwhile, the resolution approving the accreditation of the qualified private sector organizations (PSOs) Batch III was also approved by the Council.  The third batch is composed of four (4) PSOs that include Bangsamoro Development Agency, Inc., Mindanao People’s Care Foundation, Inc., Muslim Youth Religious Organization, Inc., and Bubong Livelihood Support Producer Cooperative.  These PSOs will be added to the previously accredited PSOs, fifteen (15) from the first batch while thirteen (13) from the second batch, bringing a total of 32 BEDC accredited PSOs.  (Mary Lovella Lao-Lastimosa, BPDA-BARMM)