To learn, enhance and explore are the goals set for the whole staff of the Administrative and Financial Division of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) during the recent conduct of Enhancement Workshop on December 24-26, 2013 at Cotabato City.

Admin Officers and Finance Officers from Regional Offices and Central Management Office of BDA gathered together for review and re-orientation of the Operational Manual of the agency on its Admin and Financial Management.

The activity kicked-off with words of wisdom from senior officers of BDA. Engr. Windel Diangcalan, Head, Program Division describes Admin and Finance Divisions as lifeblood of any organization.

Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo, Management Consultant gave emphasis on the goals set in the activity.

Mohammad S. Yacob, Executive Director reminded of the value of cooperation and teamwork. “We are in BDA and we are helping each other, we do not let our colleagues fail, rather we help them, we support them, we teach them, Exec. Dir. Yacob said.

During the activity, the Heads of Admin Division and Finance Division presented and discussed the policies and guidelines of BDA on admin and financial management. The presentations were interacted with questions and concerns raised by participants from different Regions of BDA.

On the first day, a panel of critiques was invited to observe and provide inputs on the discussions with specific advises on topics that were identified, for instance operational manual against the actual situation during the program operations and implementations.

Among the major recommendations of the panel is for BDA to harmonize its manual with what is the actual happening. Accordingly, it should be from the actual situations that the BDA shall draw the revision and enhancement of its operational manual both in Admin and Finance.

Further, the panel said of BDA’s unique identity being neither a government institution nor non-government organization. BDA identified itself as quasi government being product of the negotiation between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Sajahatra Program

Among the highlights of discussion during the 3-day workshop is the challenges faced by the Sajahatra Program. Receiving support from the World Bank for its operations on September 2013, Sajahatra has been into its initial stage of learning and forming its capacities especially on its financial management.

“We are still at the stage of not knowing the how-to and what-to do given that each region has different situations, Amon Jadeeda Pacasem, said. She is the Finance Officer of the Program in its Central Management Office.

According to her, both resources and capacities are limited but they are willing to learn and improve. “We are indeed thankful that we are here as participants to get advice and support from our seniors, Ms. Pacasem said.

Team Building

Part of the enhancement workshop is the promotion of camaraderie and team building among the staff from different regions. Several games were prepared in this activity where participants were able to establish teamwork and friendships. The games provided also helps in teaching the values of leadership, cooperation, unity and sensitivity to others needs.