The World Bank Group has lauded the Philippine government for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) as it vows for a continued support for the development of Mindanao.

In a statement, the multilateral institution said the government along with its development partners, including the World Bank, has to scale up their effort in supporting programs that will broker sustainable peace and development in the whole Mindanao.

A broad range of development partners, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Asia Foundation, International Organization for Migration, and members of the United Nations country team including the United Nations Children’s Fund are also supporting the Bangsamoro Development Plan.

Likewise, the program is supported by the United Nations Development Programme, World Food Programme, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the International Labor Organization.

“The World Bank Group joins the global community in congratulating the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for their momentous signing of the CAB,” the bank said in a statement.

Even before the landmark signing of CAB, World Bank said the lender, along with development partners and other stakeholders, has been supporting peace and inclusive growth in Mindanao through various programs and projects.

These initiatives include social protection, community-driven development, upgrading of community infrastructure, and lately the formulation of the BDP.

Last month, the government and the World Bank kicked off the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) that will provide a short and medium-term development strategy by identify investments and programs in the region from 2014 until 2020.

The planning process is spearheaded by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).

Saffrullah M. Dipatuan, BDA chairman said the Bangsamoro plan will play a crucial role in the establishment and success of the region, adding that planning for rehabilitation, recovery and development is being conducted with peace-building among the key objectives.

“Through extensive consultations, the BDP will set the strategic direction for the new Bangsamoro government by identifying potential areas for investment, private sector promotion, and cooperation with other regions in the country,” Dipatuan said.

“We therefore acknowledge with a sense of gratitude the timely assistance extended under the Mindanao Trust Fund and by other development partners, without which our aspiration to formulate the plan for the Bangsamoro will remain a dream,” he added.

The planning process for the BDP is funded by the $540,000 grant from the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF) administered by the World Bank, which started in 2006 and under the $28-million multi-donor facility for conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.

Reflecting on the launch of the BDP planning process, Motoo Konishi, World Bank country director said that the crafting of the Bangsamoro Development Plan will help strengthen confidence in the on-going peace process.

“The plan will outline strategies to build legitimate institutions to help foster a sense of security among communities, get more children back to school, provide justice and create jobs. This is in line with global lessons on how to successfully address the roots of violent conflict,” Konishi said.

Government agencies supporting the BDA in the formulation of the BDP are the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, National Economic and Development Authority as well as the Mindanao Development Authority.

The Departments of Health, Agriculture, Social Welfare and Development, Education, Public Works and Highways and Environment and Natural Resources and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also support BDP.

The BDA has been operating for more than 10 years. Since its creation on June 2, 2002, it has mobilized Bangsamoro professionals and volunteers to assist in development and humanitarian work in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.

(Original Post: https://www.mb.com.ph/world-bank-other-international-agencies-vow-support-to-bangsamoro-devt-plan/)