If properly utilize, the Bangsamoro’s enormous natural resources could be one of the tickets of its people towards competitiveness in the fast changing of global dynamics.

To sustainably develop the rich natural resources in Bangsamoro area, Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) recently initiated a planning workshop on Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (ENRE), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on December 16-19, 2014 at Club Balai Talisay, Batangas.

The workshop was part of BDA and UNDP commitment to continue their engagement in pushing forward for the realization of environmental conservation and protection, as well as proper utilization of the natural resources as expressed in the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP).

Notably, the UNDP has been extending its technical assistance to the BDA in the formulation of the BDP’s ENRE thematic area since March 2014 up to present.

BDA expert on environment and natural resources Forester Abdul-Jalil Umngan functioned as a focal person to coordinate UNDP to make the planning workshop possible. He also presented the Proposed Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Framework.

Umngan quoted the specific provision stated in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). He said “proposing Bangsamoro sustainable development emanates from the FAB. It is crucial in protecting and improving the quality of life of the Bangsamoro people”.

Dr. Urooj Malik, BDP advisory council, presented the Watershed Conservation and Sustainable Livelihood Development in Bukidnon and part of Lanao del Sur, a successful endeavor worth replicating to the rest of the Bangsamoro areas.

Said Dr. Malik, who is also a BDA senior advisor on development management, “Bukidnon is in the heart of Mindanao. We’ll find ways to bond the indigenous people (the 7 tribes of Bukidnon) through unity of peace and reconciliation.”

Further, we need to promote conservation through longer term livelihood programs and projects, he added.

Meanwhile, James Esquerra, mining expert, discussed the brief overview on mining, focused mainly on the potential and applicability of the same to the Bangsamoro area.

According to him, introduction of mining industry in the Bangsamoro needs a concrete and in-depth study.

It is noted that mining is one of the possible sources of growth in the Bangsamoro. But Joseph Batac, expert on economic development, enjoined the BDA to maximize agri-industry opportunities to ensure sustainable economic development in the area.

To ensure and capture the true essence of sustainable development in the Bangsamoro, the workshop attendees focused their discussions on agriculture and community livelihood, forest and watershed, biodiversity, sustainable financing, marine and coastal resources, mining, energy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and management, eco-tourism, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.

During the closing session, BDA management consultant Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo emphasized how important sustainable development is in BDA and as a Muslim.

“What struck me in the BDA is the agency’s adherence to one of their core values on vicegerency. Being steward or khalifa in this earth, the agency, as a development of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is guided by that utilization and exploration of natural resources for economic and livelihood purposes which shall not harm the environment and must be sustainable”, he stressed.