Moving on with its formulation of the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP), the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) presents the plan to the Central Committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on October 4, 2013 at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Led by it Chairman Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, together with some members of the the Board of Directors, BDA introduced BDP to the Central Committee of the MILF and explains the purpose of formulating the plan and its relevance to the promotion of peace and development in the Bangsamoro communities.

“Since 2008, we strive to make a development plan that will be useful for the Bangsamoro and with the blessing of our Honorable Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, after the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) last October 15, 2012 we pursue the formulation of this development plan” said Dr. Dipatuan.

Further, Dr. Safrullah explains that the BDP is based on Sustainable Human Development (SHD) and Peacebuilding for Mindanao of Dr. Ayesha Abubakar in her dissertation of 2013. The BDA Chairman likewise said that the framework also espouses the BDA Core Values as an important ethic in building a new culture and mindset of development among the Bangsamoro communities.

Presenting the Concept Note of the BDP was Engr. Windel Diangcalan, Head Program Management Office of BDA and BDP Core Team Leader. His presentation covers the objectives of the development plan and its operational details.

After the presentation of BDP and its Concept Note, discussions follows as members of the MILF Central Committee give comments and suggestions of the plan.

The discussion resulted for BDA to further enhance and developed the plan. With the positive feedback during the activity, BDA gains another support which boosts its confidence to keep moving in formulating the plan and in taking its mandate in determining, leading and managing rehabilitation and development for Bangsamoro communities.

BDA embarks BDP during the first donor’s forum on September 3, 2013 at Conference Hall, AIM Building in Makati City. The agency already gains support from Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA), who is among the development partners attending the said forum.