𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali, Director General of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), served as one of the discussants to the updated Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC) and Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC) during the Regional Dissemination Forum held today, August 4, 2022 at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City.

To ensure the success in the implementation of the Statistical Development Program (SDP), DG Ali underscored that as one of the lead agencies in the implementation of the Regional Statistical Development Program (RSDP), BPDA will leverage its mandate as the technical secretariat of the Bangsamoro Economic Development Council (BEDC) and as the chair of BARMM’s Regional Statistics Committee, and the Bangsamoro Government’s socioeconomic development planning and policy coordination authority.

He further said that BPDA will strengthen its partnership and coordination with BARMM ministries, offices, and agencies such as maximizing the meetings of the Regional Statistics Committee.

In terms of the challenges in the implementation of RSDP 2018-2023, DG Ali explained that BARMM is in the process of fully forming its administrative apparatus as it navigates a critical transition period.

“We are now in the transition period and we are still in the process of appointing individuals in the ministries, offices, and agencies for statistical development works,” he stressed.

During the panel discussion, DG Ali recommended some steps and strategies towards achieving the goals of the PSDP and the RSDP, citing that there is a need for strong political support in implementing critical statistical development programs and to invest heavily in strengthening research and statistics.

“This should include strategies for broader dissemination of statistical policies, as well as strengthening coordination mechanisms at all levels,” he emphasized.

DG Ali also suggested to invest in statistical research and development, as well as on technology, and allocate more resources to bolster statistical development at the local level.

Moreover, he also urged to continue working with all relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organizations, and the academe, to develop robust research and statistics capacity in the region. This includes strategies to increase local stakeholders’ appreciation on the importance of research and statistics.