Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) presented the initial Projects List of the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) to the Cabinet Cluster on Economic Development on July 3, 2104 at the Mindanao Room, Department of Finance Building, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Manila.

This meeting was organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) aimed to present the draft BDP project list to jump start the process of catching up with the 2015 budget cycle. The Economic Development Cluster was well represented with the participation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and Department of Finance. Also present were representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), OPAPP and the BDA.

Usec. Luisito Montalbo, OPAPP Executive Director, presided this meeting. He stressed that the project list is very essential components of government budgeting and appropriation in the 2015 national budget and it will be very difficult to determine and identify budget without it. “The data should be made available to BDA from the national line agencies and from ARMM respective offices, within the Bangsamoro core territories even outside territories of the Bangsamoro”, Usec. Montalbo added.

”The BDP project list that we have, in its present form, is not yet final since there are other input from various BDP consultants that are yet to be incorporated in the draft Project List. In this meeting, we shall be leveled off as to where the BDP process is at thus far and how we can work together to come up with the final and acceptable Project List”, said Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan, BDA Chairman.

“Working with the Economic Development Cluster, other key national line agencies, ARMM and other important partners will pave the way to align and harmonize the BDP Project List with the national and regional government agencies”, Dr. Dipatuan added.

Engr. Windel P. Diangcalan, BDP Core Planning Team Leader presented the draft BDP Project List for the following themes: Economy (Agriculture, Fisheries and Agri-Industry), Social (Education, Health), Infrastructure (Roads, Agriculture, Electrification), Environment, Culture, Security and Justice and Governance. Other themes are not yet incorporated are: Private Sector Development (Agribusiness, Halal Industry and Shari’ah compliant Banking and Finance), Social sub-themes (WaSH, Shelter and Child Health & Nutrition), Politics (Fiscal Autonomy and Shari’ah Justice System), Cross-cutting themes (Gender, Youth, other vulnerable groups and Food & Nutrition Security).

This initial meeting with the Economic Development Cluster yielded positive result. To move forward, an Inter-Agency workshop will be held on July 11-12, 2014 in Manila to come up with aligned and harmonized BDP Project List and agree on the implementable high and quick impact projects during the following scenarios: a) pre- Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), and b) during Bangsamoro Transition Authority. It is noted that the Project List that will be generated after the Inter-Agency workshop will subject for further review and validation with the key stakeholders and other partners to ensure participative and inclusive BDP process.

The Department of Finance will coordinate all concerned government line agencies who will be involved in the said workshop. They will be enjoined present all project lists within their respective areas and jurisdiction. Based on initial BDP project list presented, the workshop will be focused on four (4) thematic areas such as: Economy, Social, Infrastructure, and Environment & Natural Resources.

The draft BDP project list were reviewed by the BDA Board of Directors and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee during the special meeting (presided by the MILF 1^st Vice Chairman, Gadzhali Jafaar) held at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last June 29 and 30, 2014, with some modifications and revisions. It is noted that after the July 11-12 workshop, the BDA will go back to the MILF Central Committee for further review and concurrence.

Also present during the meeting were: Dr. Mohammad Yacob, BDA Executive Director; Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo, BDA Management Consultant; Beῆamine Ubpon and Rhadzni Taalim both members of BDP Core Planning Team.