𝐁𝐄𝐃𝐂 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

COTABATO CITY – A total nine (9) resolutions were adopted by the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC) during its first regular meeting for calendar year (CY) 2024 via zoom video teleconference held on Friday, March 22, presided over by its chairperson, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim together with his vice chairperson, BPDA Director-General Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali, MNSA.

The BEDC approved the following resolutions: the endorsement of the Rural Agro-Enterprise for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project Extension and Change in Scope to the National Economic and Development Authority – Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC); the endorsement of the proposed 2025 Budget Proposal of the National Food Authority-BARMM (NFA-BARMM) to NFA Central Office for consideration in their 2025 Budget Proposal; the endorsement of the proposed project of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH-BARMM), to be funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), entitled “Building Resilience through Inclusive Governance and Healthcare Transformation in BARMM (BRIGHT-BARMM)” for CY 2025-2030, to the NEDA; the endorsement of the proposed project, entitled “Provision of Health Facilities and Equipment” of MOH-BARMM to the Department of Finance (DOF); the endorsement of the proposed Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools (ISRS) Project of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National, in partnership with the World Bank for CY 2025-2029 to the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC); the resolution urging the DPWH to prioritize the funding and implementation of the Mindanao River Basin High Impact Flood Control Projects, the Lower Pulangi Flood Control Projects, and the Critical Section of the Davao-Cotabato National Highway in Barangay Layug, Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur; the approval and adoption of the Bangsamoro Development Policy Research Agenda (BDPRA) 2023-2028; the approval of the membership of the Bangsamoro Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA), and Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) as regular members of the Economic Development Committee (EDCom), and the Bangsamoro Information and Communications Technology Office (BICTO) to the Regional Statistics Committee (RSCom) of the BEDC; and the full approval of the application of five (5) private sector organizations (PSOs) granted with provisional accreditation to the BEDC, which include Kutawato Greenland Initiatives, Inc., Integrated Mindanao Association For Natives (Iman), Inc., Pambansang Kilusan Ng Mga Samahan Magsasaka, United Youth of The Philippines-Women Inc., and the BARMM Business Council.

In his message, Chief Minister Ebrahim enumerated the significant milestones achieved by the Bangsamoro government in 2024, the fifth year since the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in January 21, 2019.

Among the remarkable achievements cited by the chief minister are the following: the launch of OG Pinas or Open Government Partnership during the weeklong celebration of the 5th BARMM anniversary in January 2014, which exemplifies the Bangsamoro government’s dedication to Moral Governance principles, efficient service delivery, transparency, and citizen empowerment; the forging of strong relationships highlighting the historic participation of the Philippine President, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during the 17th Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) Meeting on February 08, 2024, wherein he emphasized the importance of attaining the BARMM’s overall goal that is crucial for a stronger Mindanao and the Philippines as a whole; the successful conduct of the 3rd Bangsamoro International Development Partners Forum (BIDPF) on February 16, 2024, gathering the BARMM’s key development partners to solidify commitment and collaboration for a sustained peace and development in the region and discuss effective aid distribution for a long-term impact in the communities; and the series of groundbreaking ceremonies held on February 29 and March 01 for the establishment of two (2) satellite offices of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) in the provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, which brings its services closer to the people of the island provinces.

“We are now in our fifth year and looking back, I am proud to say that we have made considerable progress. As we convene our first BEDC meeting this year, I am filled with optimism as we continue our journey towards an empowered, cohesive, and progressive Bangsamoro,” the chief minister said.

Meanwhile, the meeting held physically and via zoom video teleconference was attended by its council members, including BARMM Senior Minister, Abunawas L. Maslamama, BTA Parliament Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong, BTA Parliament Floor Leader and MILG Minister Atty. Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba, MPW Minister Arch’t Eduard U. Guerra, MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie, MPOS Minister Hussein P. Muñoz, MFBM Minister Atty. Ubaida C. Pacasem, Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abdulraof A. Macacua, Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal A. Adiong, Jr., Basilan Gov. Hadjiman S. Hataman-Salliman, Tawi-Tawi Gov. Yshmael I. Sali, Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali D. Matabalao, Marawi City Mayor Majul U. Gandamra, and the council’s private sector representatives, Karlmarx L. Marrack, Guiamel M. Alim, Zalave M. Dinas, Aliah B. Adam, and Morsidin A. Husain. Jherus de Guia of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Cotabato Branch had also attended the meeting as an observer. (𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖 𝙇𝙖𝙤-𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙖 / 𝘽𝙋𝘿𝘼-𝘽𝘼𝙍𝙈𝙈)