May 14, 2025. Nine Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) in the Bangsamoro region participated in the Training Workshop on the Enhancement of Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (BDRRMP) conducted through the Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project (BCTP) in April 2025.   

The training primarily aimed to enhance the BDRRMP of the nine barangay recipients of the BCTP, namely- Brgy. Saniag, Ampatuan; Brgy. Limpongo, Datu Hoffer; Brgy. Datalpandan, Guindulungan; Brgy. Dungguan, Datu Montawal all from the province of Maguindanao del Sur; Brgy. Kenebeka, Datu Odin Sinsuat; Brgy. Sapad, Matanog; and Brgy. Minabay, Buldon all from the province of Maguindanao del Norte; and Brgy. Sandab Madaya and Brgy. Ragayan, Butig from the province of Lanao del Sur.

In his message, BDA Inc. Exec. Dir. Rhadzni Taalim highlighted the importance of strengthening preparedness towards resilient communities.

“This training marks a significant step forward in strengthening our disaster risk reduction and management capabilities at the grassroots level, fostering a culture of preparedness towards a resilient communities.”

Representatives from the Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) who were part of the Local Review Board (LRB) also participated the activity. 

BDA Inc. Environmental and Social Safeguard Officer (ESSO), Mohamad Yusseph Alalang shared the role of the LRB in the enhancement of BDRRMP, “composed of esteemed staff from the MLGUs, the Local Review Board is responsible for reviewing the drafted BDRRM plans before its final approval by the Sangguaning Bayan.”

Alalang stated, “During the trainings, the LRB from the 8 municipalities also underwent training of trainers TOT.”

Facilitated by the Ministry of Interior and Local Government Unit (MILG), the training was clustered into three. First cluster for the 4 municipalities from Maguindanao del Sur on April 10-12, 2025, second cluster for the 3 municipalities from the province of Maguindanao del Norte on April 14-16, 2025 and third cluster for the municipality of Butig from Lanao del Sur on April 22-24, 2025.

Led by the MILG regional office, the resource speakers discussed the Philippine disaster context, understanding the community-based disaster risk reduction and management (CBDRMM), the CDRRM process and the disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) thematic areas.

Further, BDA Inc. set a timeline for the submission of the approved BDRRM plans and committed to reproduce hardbound copies of the plans.

On the other hand, MILG Senior Programs Officer, Mr. Mauricio Civiles emphasized the importance of the BDRRM plan to the BLGUs, “BDRRM plan is very crucial for the BLGUs, it is the legal document of the barangay to implement mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response and rehabilitation as basis to allocate fund (5% Calamity Funds) to ensure safety of its constituents.”

Moreover, the participants were very grateful for the training.

Brgy. Datalpandan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur (Camp Badre)

“Marami po kaming natutunan sa training na ito. Nalaman naming na marami pa pala kaming dapat na idagdag sa aming BDRRM Plan,” said Nasrudin Ukay.

Brgy Limpongo, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur (Camp Omar)

“Alhamdulillah, nagpapasalamat kami sa BDA at sa mga facilitators mula sa MILG. Talagang marami kaming natutunan. In Shaa Allah, kung ano ang kulang sa BDRRM plan ng barangay Limpongo ay aming tututukan,” said Chairwoman Lina Unlaw, Brgy. Chairwoman of Brgy. Limpongo, Datu Hoffer.

Brgy. Dungguan, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur (Camp Rajamuda)

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa BDA Inc. dahil nagkaroon sila ng initiative, projects at activities sa aming barangay. Nagpapasalamat din kami sa mga facilitators from MILG para sa pag tuturo nila ng BDRRM Plan. Sana ay magamit natin ng wasto.

As soon as possible gawin na natin lahat para matapos natin agad ang BDRRM Plan natin para maipasa natin agad before ang deadline.”

Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) Datu Montawal

“Nagpapasalamat kami mula sa Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) Datu Montawal, dahil nakasama kami sa training na ito. Kailangan din po namin ito dahil pumupunta din kami sa ground,” said Fatima Diocolano from MSSD Datu Montawal.

Brgy. Minabay, Buldon, Maguindanao del Norte (Camp Abubakar)

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa BDA at napabilang ang Brgy. Minabay sa training na ito. Na-enhance ang aming BDRRM plan at natuto pa kami.”

Butig, Lanao del Sur (Camp Busrah Somiorang)

“Napaka swerte natin na napabilang ang ating dalawang barangays (Brgy. Ragayan at Brgy. Sandab Madaya) sa training na ito at ma-enhance ang mga BDRRM Plans.

In behalf of our local executive, nagpapasalamat kami sa BCTP, sa inyong initiative,”  said Maelak L. Unti, MDRRMO in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur (Camp Omar)

“Sa pamamagitan ng training na ito ay natutunan natin kung ano ang mga ilalagay natin sa ating PPAs na based sa 4 thematic areas ng Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM),” said Noriam Matula, MDDRRMO in Datu Hoffer, Maguindnao del Sur.

Similar training was conducted on May 5-7, 2025 for the BLGUs in Brgy. Mamaanun, Balo-I and Brgy. Pendulonan, Munai both from the province of Lanao del Norte in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region X.

This intervention is relevant to the disaster risk reduction/climate change adaptation (DRR/CCA) under community development assistant component of BCTP.

BCTP is implemented by the BDA Inc. in partnership with the Community and Family Services International (CFSI).

It is one of the projects funded by the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF), a new funding facility administered by the World Bank with contributions from Australia, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom.

The BCTP is also supported by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) as well as the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) both from the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).