The continuing development in the peace negotiation between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) intensifies the hope that flourished in the land of Bangsamoro longing for lasting peace and development.

For Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the increase of this hope is accompanied by greater roles, responsibilities and challenges.

BDA Executive Director, Mohammad S. Yacob said that “time is running and the period of transition is approaching”.

“As BDA, we have to act now, the Bangsamoro has very high expectations from us and as Moro professionals, we should be doing something that will help indeed in this struggle for peace”, he pointed out.

Advocacy Re-echo

Highlight of the activity was the discussion of topics on ministerial form of government which the Bangsamoro Government will adopt. It was presented by Engr. Ismail Guiamel, Rural Infrastructure Engineer under the Community Development in Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) Program of the BDA.

Engr. Guiamel was recently sent by BDA to a Bangsamoro Leadership Management Institute (BLMI) for a Training of Trainers discussing on “Empowering Bangsamoro Potential Leaders and Communities”. He re-echoed the learning and knowledge acquired from that activity to BDA staff as part of the policy of the agency.

Part also of the presentation is the topic on politics and Islam.

The inputs and discussions helped BDA staff to learn and understand the type of government for Bangsamoro. Interactions led the way towards reflection and realization for BDA staff on their role in the advocacy and information for the substantial contents of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the signed three annexes, the type of government for Bangsamoro, and the upcoming plebiscite.

From this reflection that BDA staff agreed on the significance of setting an advocacy message in support to the peace process between the GPH and the MILF.

“BDA as development of MILF,is very material in conveying strategic communication to the various stakeholders in support to the GPH-MILF peace process, said Engr. Aida Silongan, Program Management Officer of CD CAAM Program of BDA.

She also suggested that the strategic communication plan shall be presented to the MILF Central Committee to align it to the MILF advocacy on FAB.

BDA Communication Group

In planning to develop an advocacy message in support to the current peace negotiation between the GPH and the MILF, BDA forms its Communication Group.

BDA will activate its strategic communication plan that aims to strengthen the communication identity of the agency. This will be the major role of the Communication Group.

Through this activity, BDA will be able to develop a strong identity which is expected to be of great help in the promotion of its mandates. The Communication Group will be producing information materials that contain BDA’s messages. The Group has been working already for its newsletter publication which is planned to be launched in the first quarter of the year.

General Staff Meeting

The activity was held on January 6, 2014 at BDA Central Management Office, Cotabato City. It was aimed for reporting and updating for both Division Heads and Program Coordinators of BDA. They presented their activities and accomplishments in 2013.

Part also of their presentation is the analysis on how each program contributes and relates to the mandate of the agency. This also includes the challenges and ways forward for each program for this year 2014.

For the Divisions, the common challenge is the program-based operations. Division Heads shared that for the past years, they get focused in the implementation of program partnerships of BDA with different funding agencies. The program thrusts of BDA were put aside and the operation were centered in projects with partners.

Given this, Division Heads agreed to revive the programs and determine strategies in doing this. Accordingly, it is the best way to provide them of the roadmap in setting one direction towards the mandate of BDA.

Program Coordinators also made consensus of the importance of meeting and discussing among their programs.

“We believe that through this activity, we will be able to learn, understand and appreciate more of other programs and from that we will identify areas of collaboration and complementation”, the Coordinators said.