COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) successfully held Friday, May 28, its second regular meeting for the year 2021, spearheaded by BARMM Chief Minister and BEDC chairperson Ahod B. Ebrahim together with BPDA Director General Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali, vice-chair and head of the technical secretariat. The said meeting was facilitated by the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) via zoom video teleconference at BPDA Conference Hall, Bangsamoro Government Center, this city.
Ammal D. Solaiman, MAFAR Deputy Minister, presented the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) including its implementation structure and its component, particularly, the Intensified Building-Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) and Investments in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) Portfolio in BARMM under the additional financing (AF2) and EU co-financing.
PRDP is a six-year project designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart, and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. Likewise, PRDP will partner with the LGUs and private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology, and information that will raise income, productivity, and competitiveness in the countryside.
Furthermore, Friday’s meeting highlighted the approval of the resolutions endorsing the proposed retrofitting US$280 million second additional financing with EUR 18.3 million EU co-financing grant for the PRDP AF2-EU of the DA to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) – Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) for evaluation and appropriate action; recommending the approval of the creation of Energy Infrastructure Development Sub-Committee under BEDC’s Infrastructure Development Committee (IDCom) of the BARMM; and requesting the BEDC to include the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism (MTIT), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affair (MIPA), and Office of the Senior Minister to the members of the IDCom.
Tong Abas, MAFAR Chief Agriculturist, presented the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) which targets the farmers and fisherfolk in the Ancestral Domains (ADs) in Mindanao through Indigenous People’s Organization (IPO) recognized by the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS), confirmed or accredited by the National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP). Said project also hopes to increase the income of Indigenous People (IP) farmers and fisherfolk through the development of sustainable agri-fishery-based economic activities tailored to the Indigenous Knowledge System and Practices (IKSPs).
“The objective of this project is to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, resiliency, and access to markets and services of organized farmer and fisherfolk groups in selected ancestral domains and for selected value chains in Mindanao. Very similar ‘yong program with PRDP. Doon lang talaga magkakaiba sa focus natin, talagang Indigenous People’s organizations,” Abas stressed.
Furthermore, Engr. Ali clarified if the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) is a mandatory requirement for BARMM’s ADs inclusion in said project. Based on the report, it has been confirmed that there is no CADT in the ancestral domains of the region.
“Yes po, it is mandatory. Iyon po ‘yong agreement. So, kaya nga si BARMM after two to three years pa siya pwedeng magpasok sa MIADP project,” Abas answered.
CADP as part of the eligibility criteria for this project, Atty. Laisa M. Alamia, Minority Floor Leader of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, suggested to MAFAR “to request the funder to reconsider the requirements, make an exception for the BARMM to the general rules. Baka pwedeng hindi na kailangan na meron na talagang CADT, ADSDPP because those take years to draft and be approved by the NCIP. Among all the regions in Mindanao, it’s BARMM that needs this kind of project especially for IPs. There are IPs not just in Maguindanao, there are IPs also in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Fisheries projects would be really good for them if it is funded by this funder.”
MAFAR responded that based on the meetings, it is possible that the BARMM’s request will be reconsidered by the funder.
“Siguro ang gagawin na lang ni MAFAR ay ire-raise natin sa national office ‘yong issue na ito dahil sobrang tagal pa ‘yong three years na ‘yon. Then, kung titingnan po natin ‘yong project ay talagang maganda lalo to support ‘yong mga IPs natin dito sa region,” Abas said.
Also present during the meeting were other members of the Council including the sectoral and special committees, BTA Parliament, provincial and city local government units, private sector representatives, and BPDA as the technical secretariat of the Council.
Meanwhile, BEDC serves as the planning, monitoring and coordinating body for all development plans, programs, and projects of the Bangsamoro Government. Likewise, the Council is the counterpart of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board at the national government and equivalent of the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) in the administrative regions. (BPDA-BARMM)