Four priority local enterprise projects for pilot implementation of the Program for Local Economic Development through Enlightened Governance and Grassroots Empowerment (PLEDGE)were identified during the Community Enterprise Planning Technique (CEPT) Workshop on June 18, 2014 at Barangay Koronadal Proper Polomolok, South Cotabato.

PLEDGE is the livelihood component of the Mindanao Trust Fund Reconstruction and Development Program (MTFRDP) implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) in partnership with International Labour Organization (ILO) as its Trust Fund RecipientIt is being piloted in Brgy. Koronadal Proper of Polomolok in South Cotabato.

During the activity, participants were asked of possible local enterprises in their community. From the long list, four were identified as top priority projects such as coal bricks-making, banana fries making, tailoring with dress making and toaster grill equipment.

Orientation on PLEDGE to Municipal Technical Team

For PLEDGE, Municipal Technical Team (MTT) is among the key partners that they have to work with at the municipal level. On June 17, 2014, PLEDGE team met with the MTT of the local government of Polomolok for an orientation of the program.

Among the highlights of discussions is the introduction of the new approach that the program is adopting. PLEDGE is implemented using the concept of Local Economic Development (LED) which has no territorial focus but instead concentration on the four (4) areas of Agro-aqua Industrial Development, Community-Based Enterprises, Enterprise Financing and Economic Support Infrastructures.

“This is something that is new and different from other programs being implemented already. We are introducing something new to you, for the development,” said by the PLEDGE team during the orientation.

The pilot community activity was attended by some members of the BDA Board of Directors: Mohammad Taha U. Abdulgapor, Almanzor B. Taug and Taufiq Alagasi.

Also present were the six Regional Managers of the BDA: Abdulhamid Uyan of Davao Region, Hashim Manticayan of Central Mindanao Region, Muhammadun B. Taug of Zamboanga Peninsula, Tony Sakkalahul of Zamboanga-Basilan Region, Mohammad Aragasi of Ranaw Region and Mohalikin Piang of Southern Mindanao Region.

“The presence of the BDA Regional Managers were highly imperative eventhough the pilot community is only at the Southern Mindanao region. It is the time for them to see and learn the process at this early stage so that we replicate it to their regional areas, it will be easier then to execute the same process,” said Julhaina Cadon, BDA PLEDGE Program Coordinator.