COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) currently joins at the ongoing two-week online training on Institutionalizing Synchronized Local Planning and Budgeting Calendar (SLPBC) for the local government units (LGUs) from the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi facilitated by the Ministry of Interior and Local government (MILG) which started on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, until October 9, 2020, via zoom video teleconference.
The LGU participants from the mainland provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur were the first batch of trainees who underwent the first four days of training.
Majaramir Y. Sumail, MILG-BARMM head of technical assistance division, explained the objective of conducting this online training amidst the crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This activity aims to institutionalize Synchronized Local Planning and Budgeting Calendar (SLPBC) and budgeting expenditure activities as well as to keep the LGUs on track with the recent developments and apprise on the latest policies and guidelines in allocating funds in response to COVID-19 pandemic,” Sumail said.
Furthermore, the first four days of training focused on the coverage of the JMC which includes local planning, investment programming, resource mobilization, budgeting, expenditure management, and performance monitoring and coordination.
Engr. Al Kashmir Ko, BPDA Head of Local Planning and Coordinating Division, presented the salient features of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 01, Series of 2016 and discussed the highlights of the 1st Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) 2020-2022 that was approved last July 3, 2020.
“The 1st BDP outlines the thrusts and priorities of the Bangsamoro Government covering the period 2020-2022 and how the region intends to contribute to the national long-term vision of a matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay (strongly rooted, comfortable and secure life) for all,” Ko stressed.
Other resource speakers were from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) XII and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XII. They have discussed the Rationalized Planning Indicator and Data Set (RaPIDS), Local Government Performance Management System (LGPMS), Local Government Unit Integrated Financial Tools (LIFT), electronic Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (eSRE), Budget Operations Manual (BOM), Internal Audit Manual (IAM) and Public Financial Management Assessment Tools (PFMAT).
At the end of this training, the first batch of LGU participants is expected to become more knowledgeable and equipped with their respective works and assignments.
“After this training, we are expecting the first batch of LGU participants to learn a lot to make their work easier with regards to local planning and budgeting, as well as other essential aspects of their public service delivery,” Ko added. Moreover, it is also expected from them to align their development policies, activities, programs, projects, and services with the BDP 2020-2022.