Thank you Mr. Motoo Konishi, WB Country Director, Undersecretary Louie Montalbo who is attending in behalf of OPAPP Secretary Ding Deles, distinguished colleagues and development partners, Assalamo alaikom, peace be with you and good morning to all.

My profound thanks to the European Union for hosting this 14^th MTF Steering Committee Meeting. As far as I can recall since the time I assumed as co-chair of this august body, this is the first time that we have shifted our meeting venue.

The meeting comes at a time when the world is witnessing the beginning of a new era in the Bangsamoro. Our long struggle for a lasting peace and the right of self-determination of the Bangsamoro people, which had so far been elusive, is finally starting to show clear signs of hope for social justice and economic equity in the region to take place.

The signing of the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing last month and the solid gains achieved in the continuing discussion on the remaining annexes of the FAB such as Power Sharing and Normalization during the 39^th exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur on 23-25 August 2013 have cleared the way for a more focused and aligned approach to sustain an atmosphere conducive to the sincere and meaningful implementation of the peace agreement.

Peace can only hold firm over the long term if it is supported by strong efforts that promote inclusive growth, stability and development in the region. Clearly, the role of the Mindanao Trust Fund is pivotal.

In this regard, I would like to congratulate the Secretariat for preparing a proposal for the implementation of the MTF in a rather lucid and aligned manner. The proposal rightly proposes pre- and post-transition interventions in the Bangsamoro areas and duly takes into account both software needs, such as governance capacity building, as well as hardware projects involving livelihood programs. We welcome this approach.

Distinguished colleagues and guests, allow me to make a few points as we move forward together in the implementation of the MTF:

My first point is about sequencing and timing of activities. At our First Development Partners Forum yesterday we had good discussions with about 80 participants representing all major partners present in the country on the concept note for the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP). The forum was hosted by BDA at the AIM Conference Center with the generous support of OPAPP.

Following the forum, we reflected on some of the concerns raised by partners and the outcomes of the forum. Our conclusion was that the BDP ought to consider more “immediate needs” first over the immediate term, namely 2013-2014.

These needs would include both capacity and institutional development projects, including an up-scaled capacity building of the BDA itself, and quick and high impact livelihood projects in the Bangsamoro areas.

As such, it would be useful for us to consider aligning the timing of ‘Track 1” strategy presented in the proposal which is to be undertaken as part of the on-going BDA projects and the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program.

Second, the subsequent phases of the BDP will attempt to enter into planning for the short, medium and long-term, with some overlap in the corresponding periods of, 2014-2016; 2016-2020; and 2020 and beyond, respectively. Consequently, the MTF needs to carefully consider these periods in the programming and budgeting cycles.

In practical terms, this really means getting started right away on the identification of projects and programs at least over the short and medium term, 2014-2016 so that the Plan can appropriately incorporate these and the same can be correspondingly budgeted in the MTF.

Lastly, the afore-mentioned that we have cut out for ourselves in terms of formulation of the Plan, and identification and implementation of projects will clearly require much needed technical assistance support and resources. We are pleased to read that the proposal presents for the endorsement of the Steering Committee relevant technical and financial support through the MTF under flexible arrangements.

We look forward to the endorsement by the Steering Committee of these proposals for the BDA.

Thanks for your kind attention./Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan – BDA Chairman. EU Office, RCBC Tower II, Makati City, 4 September 2013

Photo taken during 14th MTF Steering Committee Meeting

Photo taken during 14th MTF Steering Committee Meeting

Photo taken during 14th MTF Steering Committee Meeting