BARMM to consult LGUs on dev’ plan formulation

DRAFTING THE PLANS --- Participants in a workshop session during the conduct of the 1st Bangsamoro Regional Development Plan. (PHOTO BY BPI-ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- An initial draft of the 1st Bangsamoro Regional Development Plan (BRDP) will be presented to the different local government units in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) next month for consultation.

The 1st BRDP will serve as the roadmap for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Regional Government for 2020-2022.

The Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), which is spearheading the crafting of the BRDP with the support of the Office of the Chief Minister and other ministries, has already set specific dates for the consultation in each of the BARMM member provinces, cities, and the 63 barangays in North Cotabato.

It has earlier organized a series of workshops for the planning officers and technical staff of the different BARMM ministries and offices to formulate the 1st BRDP.  The third round of which was held in Davao City on September 25-27.

Mohajirin Ali, BPDA acting executive director, said they plan to finish the formulation of the 1st BRDP by November.

He said the development plan will be presented to the regional cabinet for its adoption after the provincial consultations. It will also be presented to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority for approval and eventually to the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council (BEDC),  which will be the highest policymaking body in the BARMM.

The BEDC will replace the Regional Economic and Development Planning Board (REDPB) of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It would be the regional counterpart of the National Economic and Development Authority.

Article XIII, Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, provides that the "Parliament shall establish the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council which shall serve as the planning, monitoring, and coordinating agency for all development plans, programs, and projects of the Bangsamoro Government."

Ali said his office has already endorsed to the BTA a draft bill proposing the creation of the BEDC. (Bureau of Public Information-BARMM / Mindanao expose’)