Hopes for dividends of peace are high in 20 communities across the seven regions of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) as construction of quick impact projects (QIPs) are underway after successive groundbreaking in all sites since the symbolic event on March 7, 2015 at Brgy. Kibleg, Upi, Maguindanao.

In Central Mindanao Region, two community halls and one school building were identified by the communities as their priority projects. Regions of Southern Mindanao, Davao and Zamboanga Peninsula have two community halls each, four community halls in Ranaw region. One school building and one community hall in Zamboanga-Basilan (ZamBas) region and four community halls and one warehouse with solar dryer in Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (SulTaw) region.

“This is our way of showing to our people that the BDA, in collaboration with key stakeholders, are exerting so much effort to deliver peace dividends at the grassroots level. This may not be enough thus far but we are looking forward that other partners will also put their share towards this initiative to create huge impact at the ground,” executive director Dr. Mohammad Yacob said.

The QIP aims to make the communities realize peace dividend swiftly and inclusively, gain support and confidence on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and peace building process from the community, Yacob added.

He further said that “BDA is tasked to undertake social preparation activities while the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) through its Socio-Economic Office is in-charge for the over-all coordination of the implementation of QIPs”.

Philkoei International Incorporated, a consultancy firm is also partnered to undertake the detailed design and construction supervision of the projects.