A World Bank team undertakes the 11^th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) of the Multi-Donor Facility –Mindanao Reconstruction & Development Program (MTFRDP) from April 13-17, 2015, in coordination with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), Community & Family Services International (CFSI), the Mindanao Land Foundation (Minland) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The mission takes with a kick-off meeting on April 13, 2015 at The Pinnacle Hotel, Davao City.

The mission came just over six months after the last mission in September 2014 and immediately after the Steering Committee Meeting in March 2015.

Significantly it came just before the closure of Program Partnership Agreement 4 (PPA4), two months before the end of support to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Project Management Team for Sajahatra Bangsamoro and as support for formulation of the Bangsamoro Development Plan is also coming to an end.

The mission also comes in the aftermath of the January 25 Mamasapano incident, which has delayed passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and tested confidence in the peace process.

The incident also highlights the need to continue and intensify development support for conflict-affected communities in Mindanao.

In his opening message, BDA Executive Director Mohammad S. Yacob expressed that the 11^th ISM will be more appreciative.

“Hopefully, the outcome of this 11^th ISM (Implementation Support Mission) will be more different from previous ISM we conducted in a way that it will be more appreciative”.

Yacob thanked partners for the support and assistance to BDA for more than nine (9) years of implementing MTFRDP.

“BDA have encountered many challenges but eventually, it surmounts those challenges and we thanked the development partners”, Yacob said.

Some of the main highlights of the meeting were presentations on the status of different MTFRDP components which are the community-driven development (CDD), Program for Local Economic Development through Enlightened Governance and Grassroots Empowered (PLEDGE), Sajahatra Bangsamoro (SB) and the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP).

Status of program financial management was also discussed during the meeting.

Mission objectives and overview of project sites for visit and community interactions were also presented.

Community visits and interactions with beneficiaries starts on April 14 for projects sites under Davao and Southern Mindanao regions.

In Davao region, sites to be visited are Brgy. Tagdangua and Brgy. Bongabong in Pantukan, Compostella Valley and Brgy. Jovellar in Tarragona, Davao Oriental.

In Southern Mindanao region, sites for visit are Brgy. Koronadal Proper in Polomolok, South Cotabato, Brgy. Lun Masla and Brgy. Tuyan in Malapatan, Brgy. Maguling in Maitum and Brgy. Lumasal and Brgy. Daliao in Maasim all in Sarangani province.

Sub-projects in the said barangays are water system, solar dryer with warehouse, pre and post-harvest facilities, trading centre, tire path and mini gym.

MTF is fund facility administered by the World Bank and is supported by various donors such as the European Union (EU), DFAT Australia (then AusAID), DFATD Canada (then Canadian International Development Agency), New Zealand Aid for International Development, Sweden International Development Agency, and United States Aid for International Development (USAID).