As part of the institutionalization process of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Finance Division, a 4-day Financial Management and Enhancement Training-Workshop was conducted on September 27 to October 1, 2104 at El-Bajada Hotel Davao City.

All financial staff both from BDA Central Management Office (CMO) and seven (7) Regional Management Offices (RMOs) participated in the said training.

It was graced by the agency’s Board of Directors, the Executive Director, Regional Managers and other senior officers of BDA.

During the 1^st day of the activity, CMO Finance Team made presentations on cash receipt procedure, general procedures on cash disbursements, downloading of funds from CMO to RMO, payroll, invoices, purchase of supplies and goods, payment of honorarium, cash advances for activities and travels and reimbursements procedures.

Inputs on transparency were also discussed in the training. Transparency is among the core values being upheld by BDA for its operation and management.

The second day of the training was completed through series of workshops. Participants were grouped into three (3) for a break-out session.

Cashiers participated to the discussion on payroll processing by bank and to the workshop on preparation of report such as cashbook, checks issued; cash receipt register, cash collections and deposits.

The session on Quickbooks (an accounting software) was joined by Finance Assistants with a workshop on preparation of summary of payment vouchers, liquidations, and bank reconciliation statement.

Finance Officers grouped for a discussion on budget variance and workshop on preparation of special account reconciliation statement, balance sheet and tracking of fund download and liquidation.

Actual coaching and hands-on activities, roll-out of enhanced policies and transactions flow were also part of the training.

A writeshop on challenges and concerns of each participant from each program was also conducted during the training.

Teambuilding activities were also held significant part of the activity. Hamodi Tiboron, BDA Finance Head, said “this is part of the objectives of the training on promoting a spirit of collaborative effort and unity, professional responsibility and leadership among staff for an effective and sustainable action towards sound and excellent financial management of BDA”.

During the closing program of the training, representatives from the Management Committee, Management Support Team and Board of Directors of BDA provided response and guidance to the to the topics discussed, new policies and guidelines on financial management of the agency.

Messages were delivered by Mohammad S. Yacob, Executive Director of BDA and Kevin Lee, Executive Director of A Single Drop for Safe Water (ASDSW).

This training on the enhancement of financial management of BDA is conducted with the support of the ASDSW.

ASDSW is currently in partnership with BDA for the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Health (WaSH) component of the Tahderiyyah Program.