News and Stories (127)
(March 7, 2024.) In the last quarter of 2022, BDA Inc. together with partner service providers trained women groups across BARMM on various skills trainings based on the livelihood activity identified per community-recipient of the project SUBATRA-ECSO.
This livelihood support came with a full package of complete materials and facility relevant to the chosen enterprise of each group.
In Tawi-Tawi, two women groups from Brgy. Pasiagan in Bongao and Brgy. Malacca in Panglima Sugala learned about processing of native delicacies.
“We want to introduce these native delicacies, especially now that the province of Tawi-Tawi is receiving more tourists where we can sell and generate income helpful for our families”, the women told.
According to them, the process is known to some senior members of the community but they wanted to learn more especially for the young generation to promote and preserve these traditional dishes such as lara-lara (sili-sili), batang buruk, jintan, panyam, panganan, bawlo, hantak/kukus, doughnut-doughnut, jah, tapa-tapa and tok-ki.
Women group in Brgy. Kailih, Al-Barka, Basilan has chosen the training on cassava processing. For them, cassava has been part of their history and life as people in this part of Bangsamoro Region.
For them, it was amazing to know that aside from puto, there are wide variety of products they can make from cassava.
They learned to make cakes, cassava chips, balls, others.
Aside from the skills to produce various products from cassava, they also learned to start their business, where they get additional income that is helpful to support their families.
“We are thankful for the assistance you provided to us. We are grateful for the attention and concern for us, women in this remote area”, the Kailih women said.
In Lanao province, the mothers who are usually full-time housewives are happy that they were able to earn money from producing and selling palapa (a spicy condiment/side-dish common to M’ranao in Lanao province)
“We are earning now, even though in little amount, it is already a big thing for us especially for our kids at school, and for few expenses at home. We learned to produce palapa in various flavors”, they stated.
Meanwhile, in the Special Geographical Areas (SGA) of BARMM, the women recipients of the project speaks that their time together, as women becomes more significant as they gather in producing various products from banana through the skills they learned from the livelihood training provided to them.
Women organization in the indigenous people (IP) community in Maguindanao was emotional and motivated to sustain the learning related to vegetable production.
“Thank you, BDA, for the unending support and encouragement, for us to learn vegetable production. Even beyond this project, the knowledge you taught us will remain useful for us, thank you very much”, IP women expressed.
From Sulu province, the women group is glad for the support from the Bangsamoro Government through local networks.
The Timbangan PO in Indanan has been among the local organizations tapped as exhibitors during the NiyoGosyo Fair in Decemer 2023 by the MTIT-BARMM, together with other women groups supported by SUBATRA-ECSO, specifically those that produce from coconut and banana.
Under the project, 63% of the 4, 860 overall total of beneficiaries are women.
SUBATRA-ECSO is implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) with partner CSOs in the region.
It is funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. (from BDA Annual Report 2023)
Values training for local governance in the Bangsamoro
Written by BDA CommunicationsMarch 4, 2024. The influence of the Values Transformation Training (VTT) has come for the barangay chairmen of various villages in the province of Maguindanao del Norte in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
This year, this significant action was undertaken when the Provincial Government of MDN partnered with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) for the implementation of the VTT for the local officials of the province at barangay/ community level.
There were three batches of participants from 221 barangays in the 12 municipalities namely Parang, Sultan Mastura, Matanog, Barira, Buldon, Sultan Kudarat, Kabuntalan, Northern Kabuntalan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Talitay and North Upi.
They were organized for the VTT in the province on February 23-27, 2024 at Al-nor Convention, Cotabato City.
“Moral governance may seem to be easy but it is not because it is in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Qur’an”, Chairman Tatua Sangki of Brgy. Pagalungan, Kabuntalan, told.
VTT teaches the participants the significance of faith-based values towards self-change and personality development that will help an individual to become more responsible with his actions (in whatever role/ position) in the society, and therefore be an agent of change and development in building a society of peace.
The VTT for the barangay chairmen was implemented through the Ministry of Interior and Local Government Unit (MILG) of the Province of Maguindanao del Norte.
BDA Inc. was the official training facilitator with the Development Academy of the Bangsamoro (DAB) as the official secretariat.
VTT has been reaching more individuals and communities within and beyond BARMM, as one strategy to support and advocate the moral governance.
In 2023, BDA Inc. reported 12, 193 individuals trained on VTT in various set-up, from regional offices of the BARMM, the beneficiaries of scholarship programs, cooperatives, the decommissioned combatants, others.
TRANSITIONING COMBATANTS FORM COOPERATIVES, GENERATE INCOME TOWARDS PRODUCTIVE, PROGRESSIVE AND PEACEFUL COMMUNITY
Written by BDA CommunicationsJanuary 20, 2024. This inspiring story happens across the camp communities where armed conflict happened in the past years. With the current development in the Bangsamoro peace process, support to camps transformation and development yields positive results like the successful operation of farmer cooperatives with the agri-facility provided by development partners.
It was in the first quarter of year 2022 when these farm facilities were turned over to various cooperatives across the six major camps of the MILF identified in the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
The provision of support to farmer cooperatives is in relevance to the implementation of PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment.
It is a program implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), who is also a fund partner together with the European Union (EU).
Know more about the success stories of the transitioning combatants and the updates on camps transformation and development at www.bda.org.ph.
#SupportCampsDevelopment #SupportBangsamoro #SupportPeaceDevt #Bangsamoro #BDA
IMPLEMENTING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN CAMP COMMUNITIES
Written by BDA CommunicationsDecember 15, 2023. While transition in the Bangsamoro Government happens, the implementation of development projects in the camps towards transformation and development is also taking place.
At the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), we take the honor and the mission to deliver development assistance to the six major camps of the MILF, identified in the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
We have been documenting our experience, which we will be sharing soon.
Thanks to our partners for the support to transform camps from conflict to peaceful and progressive communities.
Full story uploading soon @ www.bda.org.ph
PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT IN IMPLEMENTING RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE BANGSAMORO REGION
Written by BDA CommunicationsJanuary 16, 2024. Procurement works have been part of the journey in implementing various projects for the development and rehabilitation of conflict-affected communities within and outside the Bangsamoro Region.
In bringing development to those communities, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) has been working with different donor partners requiring standard policies on administrative and financial management including processes on procurement in acquiring goods and services to support the overall implementation of the program/project.
For the past two decades, we have been documenting our experience on procurement management in the context of Bangsamoro, while complying to the international standards set by donor partners.
Allow us to share our best practice as an agency in overcoming the challenges in order to deliver the services needed by the people.
Our story is inspired by the needs and aspirations of our people at the community level, and guided by the values such as transparency, inclusiveness, trustworthiness, accountability and justice.
BDA conducts Orientation on SPP Development and Preparation for the implementation of the Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project
Written by BDA CommunicationsJanuary 5, 2024- The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) in partnership with the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) conducted an orientation on Sup-Project Proposal Development and Preparation last January 3, 2024, at the BDA Training Center in Cotabato City.
The said orientation primarily aimed to have a clear understanding of attachments and processes of making the sub-project proposals for the Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project (BCTP).
BCTP Project Coordinator Kadafy Sinulinding emphasized in his message that the activity was part of the preparation of sub-project proposals that are under step 3 of the project implementation stages.
“After this orientation, we are going to have a community writeshop on SPP with the members of farmers’ cooperatives, women and youth groups, and IP groups together with the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT)”, Sinulinding said.
Sinulinding added, “It is important to note that the writing of proposals will be done by the beneficiaries with the help of JTFCT members and with BDA technical guidance”.
He also urged everyone to participate actively and listen attentively to be able to be equipped with the necessary knowledge needed in SPP preparation.
Meanwhile, the construction of socio-economic infrastructures (SEIs) and community facilities (CFs) in the camps will commence after the SPP approval.
Furthermore, BDA is optimistic about endorsing the packaged and refined sub-project proposals to CFSI within the required timeline.
BCTP is implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) in partnership with the Community and Family Services International (CFSI). It is funded through the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) administered by the World Bank.
Values transformation training aids in meaningful reintegration of youth combatants thru 3 Peace Project of BYC-BARMM
Written by BDA CommunicationsDecember 21, 2023. The Positive Peace Project (3 Peace) is a youth reintegration program of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) being implemented under the Special Development Fund of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In this project, 200 youth combatants are selected to undergo various skills trainings through the Technical Education and Skills Development of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE-BARMM) as facilitated by the accredited partner Technical Vocational Institute (TVI).
The Values Transformation Training (VTT) comes in before the skills training based on the guidelines being implemented by the TESD of MBHTE-BARMM.
All 200 combatants have already completed the VTT likewise the skills trainings through a mass graduation happened on December 19, 2023 at Shariff Kabunsuan Complex inside Bangsamoro Government Complex in Cotabato City.
Youth combatants as defined in the 3 Peace Project are the sons and daughters of Mujahideens across the 10 camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF): Camp Bushra, Camp Badre, Camp Omar, Camp Bilal, Camp Darapanan, Camp Rajamuda and of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF): Camp Ebrahim, Camp Husni, Camp Jannatul Ma’wah and Camp Sofia.
Integration of VTT to the project for the youth combatants is significant in developing the sense of self-change and personality development by teaching faith-based values to help them become responsible and productive member of the society.
One participant expressed thanks for implanting the relevant knowledge on faith-based values through VTT.
Another trainee believes that the VTT has given them knowledge about faith, and being responsible.
“I am thankful that even in a short period, I was able to internalize these teachings on values”, he stated.
As the implementing agency of the VTT, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) is glad to expand its wings to spread the message and significance of faith-based values in building people as agents of change and development.
BDA Inc. has been recognized as the official facilitator and implementer of VTT in BARMM as one relevant approach to achieve the call for moral governance in the Bangsamoro.
BDA Inc. is the development arm of the MILF established in 2002 and has emerged as duly registered non-government organization in 2019 with the official name, BDA Inc.
November 30, 2023. The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) facilitated the visit of partners from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to selected villages in camp communities from November 21-23, 2023.
- Kabengi, Datu Saudi Amptauan and Brgy. Tuayan Mother, Datu Hoffer, Mag del Sur in Camp Omar
- Togaig, Barira, Mag del Norte in Camp Abubakar
- Sandab, Butig, Lanao del Sur in Camp Bushra
- Tamparan at Panggao, Munai Lanao del Norte in Camp Bilal
Visitors and partners from UNDP met and talked with the beneficiaries (women, IP, elderlies, transitioning combatants, religious sector, others), the barangay local government unit, Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) about their experience of the program and the progress of its implementation.
This field mission is part of the Results-oriented Monitoring of the European Union as donor partner to the program being implemented in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps.
It was intended to get updates on the progress and challenges of the program implementation directly from the community and other stakeholders on the ground.
This mission was in relevance to the on-going implementation of the program that supports the camps transformation and development, dubbed as PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment.
It is funded by European Union and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is implemented by Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) in collaboration with UNDP Philippines.
PARA SA'YO BANGSAMORO- HELPING BRING THE BANGSAMORO GOVERNMENT CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE
Written by BDA CommunicationsDecember 4, 2023. Para Sa’Yo Bangsamoro is a communication plan developed to help raise the awareness about the programs and services of BARMM including the rights and obligations of its people.
This campaign was successfully launched through a Community Assembly with Provision of Services in Support to Bangsamoro Transition on December 1, 2023 at Brgy. Balakayon, Pigcawayan, Special Geographical Areas- BARMM, with the support of honorable officials from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
From the BTA were Hon. Ali Salik, Hon. Said Salendab and Hon. Kadil Sinolinding, Jr.
The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE-BARMM) through its Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) and the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat- OCM-BARMM were those coming from the Bangsamoro Government.
During the event, people of Balakayon listened to inspiring and educational messages from the officials of the Bangsamoro Government that were significant to be well-informed and updated about the current transition in the Bangsamoro and the continuing struggle towards peace and development.
Vulnerable groups in the village received basic social services during this activity such as free medical eye check-up, food packs, and education kit for the children.
Each office of BTA and BARMM who joined the assembly had a desk designated where they welcomed group of people and talked about their programs and services. Beneficiaries took this chance and raised their concerns and needs in their community.
In his message, MP Salik, recalled the times of war and struggle and told that the current progress in the Bangsamoro is among the fruits of those sacrifices.
MP Salendab told the people that his office and the office of the Bangsamoro Government is open for service. He reminded that all services available at present are part of the continuing struggle of the Bangsamoro.
“Let us have unity, love and help to one another”, he stated.
For MP Sinolinding, this activity was a great chance for them at the BTA to serve and help the public.
“We, who in the position, are not above you. We are here to serve you, to find ways to respond to your needs”, the official stated.
He is glad to see that people received not only free health service but also food packs and education kits.
This event is in relevance to the project SUBATRA-ECSO: Enhancing CSOs Capacities for Inclusive Development Intervention in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition.
The project is implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) together with partner CSOs.
SUBATRA-ECSO is funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project (BCTP) supports peaceful, productive, and stable communities in the Bangsamoro
Written by BDA CommunicationsPRESS RELEASE - November 30, 2023
COTABATO CITY- The Bangsamoro Camps Transformation Project (BCTP) promotes peaceful, productive, and stable communities in 12 previously acknowledged barangays in the Bangsamoro Region through diverse and sustainable livelihood projects.
The BCTP was launched on 4 July 2023, implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) in partnership with Community and Family Services International (CFSI), with funding from the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) administered by the World Bank.
“By increasing access to socio-economic services and basic infrastructure in the communities in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps, the project also strengthens and cultivates the local capacities of beneficiaries and project participants such as farmers’ cooperatives, transitioning combatants, as well as women, youth, and indigenous peoples,” stated Noraida Abdullah Karim, CFSI Director for Mindanao Programme.
The project also involves capacity strengthening for staff and employees of BDA Inc., including the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) MILF camp level coordinators through a series of trainings to be led by CFSI and the World Bank.
“The project is centered around community-driven development where the communities are the decision-makers around the types of sub-projects they choose,” said Kadafy Sinulinding, BCTP Project Coordinator from BDA Inc.
An orientation was conducted recently in Brgy. Minabay, Buldon, Maguindanao del Norte including Camp Abubakar. The group of farmers and transitioning combatants collectively chose and decided to build a warehouse with a solar dryer. They believe that this project will have a positive impact on their communities as their primary livelihood sources include coconut and corn production.
Women and children on the other hand, believe that various forms of breadmaking can become a stable source of income for them. This includes access to a multi-purpose development center with solar power.
Preliminary activities in the 12 communities are near concluded. This includes Landscape Planning, where community members understood different potential dangers and hazards, the different uses of their lands, the existing infrastructure within their communities that are not utilized property, and other initiatives that the community can benefit from with proper planning.
The project is also supported by the Bangsamoro Government through a Technical Working Group with representatives from the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Ministry of Health (MOH), Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC), Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC), Ministry of Public Works (MPW), Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA), Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), Bangsamoro READi and Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE). The Technical Working Group had a successful first meeting on 12 October 2023 in Cotabato City.
The 1st Implementation Support Mission (ISM), led by the World Bank with BDA Inc. and CFSI, was conducted in Brgy. Mamaanun in Balo-I, Lanao del Norte and Brgy. Sapad in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte. A technical validation on the chosen projects is expected to be conducted in the coming days.
The BCTP is led by a Project Board (PB) with Co-Chairs Brig. General De Mesa from the Philippine Government and Member of Parliament Hon. Ali O. Salik from the MILF. The PB also includes Member of Parliament Baintan A. Ampatuan, Mr. Mohaimen Usman, and representatives of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), and Community and Family Services International (CFSI). The first meeting of the PB was held on 11 October 2023, where 12 barangays in the 6 major MILF camps were successfully endorsed.
The BCTP is implemented to support the normalization efforts in the MILF camps. This is one of the projects funded by the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF), supported by Australia, Canada, European Union and United Kingdom, administered by the World Bank.
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1ST BARMM Private Sector Organization (PSO) Summit
Written by BDA CommunicationsThe 1ST BARMM Private Sector Organization (PSO) Summit with the theme “Unlocking Private Sector Opportunities in BARMM: Thriving Partnerships towards a Progressive Bangsamoro” is the first ever gathering of Bangsamoro CSOs and private sectors organized in the region as platform to strengthen partnership and collaboration between the Bangsamoro Government and the private sector.
In the morning of the event were a presentation of BARMM Milestones, messages of support from the private sector, keynote speech of Chief Minister Hon. Ahod B. Ebrahim.
There was an exhibit of products and services by partner CSOs at the lobby of the Ballroom of the Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City.
- Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.)
- Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society
- Mindanao Women Advocacy for Good Governance
- Kabuntalan Landowners and Development Association
- Mindanao Center for Local Governance, Inc.
- The Moropreneur, Inc.
- Cotabato Brassware Association
- Maranao People Development Center
In the afternoon, there was a breakout session for specific thematic areas such as community engagement and development programs, research and education, and investment, enterprise development and employment generation.
GALLERY: 1ST BARMM Private Sector Organization (PSO) Summit
Establishing connections, building capacities for the support to aquaculture project in the islands of Bangsamoro
Written by BDA CommunicationsOCTOBER 17, 2023. Project staff of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) has been reaching out to various partners in the past weeks to establish connections for the implementation of the project that supports the aquaculture in the island of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
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In linking with these partners, BDA Inc. is able to build connections relevant to strengthen approaches for the implementation of the project.
Aside from this, the BDA Inc. has also participated to the Climate Smart Aquaculture (CSA) Workshop on September 26-28, 2023 in Davao City organized and facilitated by the German Cooperation (GIZ).
This activity allowed BDA Inc. to learn and develop its knowledge on CSA significant to understand better the assistance needed to deliver for this project.
This project that supports to aquaculture is dubbed as Building Resilient Livelihoods and Communities through Climate-Smart Aquaculture Value Chain in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu Archipelago under the program Strengthening the implementation of regional and local peace and development agendas in Mindanao (SPADe).
It is funded by the GIZ and the European Union (EU) and implemented in partnership with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
It aims to promote inclusive socio-economic development and contribute to peacebuilding, food security, and environmental conservation through climate-resilient and sustainable livelihood interventions in aquaculture value chain in the Tawi-Tawi and Sulu Archipelago.
The project has started in July 2023. BDA Inc. has already coordinated with the local government units of Sitio Kalang, Brgy. Sucuban, Omar, Sulu and Brgy. Buan, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.
Community members were also informed of the project through the community- wide orientation conducted in August 2023.
Support to cooperatives in the camps, vulnerable communities towards peace and development in the Bangsamoro
Written by BDA CommunicationsOctober 10, 2023. For the program that supports the current initiative on camps transformation and development, there are 24 cooperatives established. 11 have received livelihood assistance, while the remaining 13 is yet to obtain the aid in the following months.
For the project that contributes to the Bangsamoro Transition, there are 18 people’s organizations (POs) formed and have been making success with their respective local enterprises.
Two fisher folk’s cooperatives in the islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will also be tapped to get support on aquaculture for increased productivity.
The recent project relevant to Normalization in the Bangsamoro will also benefit cooperatives through income stabilization sub-project.
For the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) that implements these programs/ projects stated above, the crucial role of cooperatives and community organizing is indeed relevant to help address pressing issues and concerns on the overall welfare of the society like economic, health, peace and order, among others.
In the Bangsamoro Region, for instance, development and humanitarian efforts have always been carried with community organizing that includes PO formation and activation of cooperatives/ association backed up with various capacity building activities to strengthen these groups.
Women groups in Tawi-Tawi state that when they were organized as PO, their bond as women becomes more meaningful and productive. They learned to produce and sell native delicacies that gives them additional income for their families.
In Maguindanao, a group of women has also become united and even happier that by producing various products from coconut, they are able to help preserve this traditional method that only the elderlies know.
For the indigenous people groups, organizing and including them in the program/ project is a chance to be part of the development.
“We walked and descend from mountain for hours, just to attend activities like this, today. I am hoping for something good in joining this organization. It is a chance for us (the IPs) to be included in development”, an IP member told.
In Lanao province, women groups are happy having learned the processing of different flavors for palapa (a spicy side-dish known from M’ranao in this province). They earn income from selling this product that they spend for their kids at school.
From a village in the Special Geographical Areas (SGA) of BARMM, the women group producing various banana products shares that they are able to help other sectors in the community like the youth to earn additional income helpful for their schooling. Also, that they reported of being able to promote their products during local gatherings, which make them happy and proud having made these with their own skills and resources.
With these progress and milestones, BDA Inc. continues to work and reach out with other partners like the Bangsamoro Government to strengthen the support to these community groups.
The agency has recently had a writeshop on manual development for social enterprise in the Bangsamoro communities together with the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Development Authority (CSEA-BARMM), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR-BARMM) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST-BARMM).
Partners from the civil society organizations (CSOs) were also part of the activity conducted on October 2-4, 2023 in General Santos City.
Prior to this, BDA Inc. has been coordinating with CSEA for the on-going support to the cooperatives and POs formed through its various programs/ projects. There was an orientation on the processes and policies of CSEA regarding the registration and accreditation requirements last September 19, 2023 in Cotabato City.
October 5, 2023. From the uphill of Brgy. Datalpandan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Norte in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), descends Omar S. Bandara, 24, representing the community of indigenous people (IP) in this village.
“We walked and descend from mountain for hours, just to attend activities like this, today. I am hoping for something good in joining this organization. It is a chance for us (the IPs) to be included in development.
Omar was one of the participants to the PO Formation, conducted in relevance to the implementation of the program that supports the camps transformation and development dubbed as PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment.
He is a member of the Datalpandan Mamalu-Tabunaway People's Organization, a group organized to manage the sub-project to be provided by the programme.
He is determined to continue joining this program and said “I won't stop, regardless of the distance. I will represent our people to help our community”.
Meanwhile, we met mothers who are IPs in Brgy. Tuayan, Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur- BARMM, who called for support with their poor living conditions at the temporary shelters in their village.
According to them, it’s been months that they have been evacuees due to the unstable peace and order in their community at the uphill of the barangay.
"We often have two instead of three meals in a day because of little income. We do farming to sustain our daily needs. Right now, we are still at the temporary shelters provided by the BLGU because there is still a threat of armed conflict in our homes. We hope to have permanent homes because the condition is difficult."
Their families were among those who received food assistance in July 2023 during the provision of services, coincidentally Nutrition Month. It was through the project SUBATRA-ECSO: Enhancing CSOs Capacities for Inclusive Development Interventions in BARMM in Support to Bangsamoro Transition.
They were thankful for the aid received, which accordingly is already helpful to provide for their meals for enough number of days.
SUBATRA-ECSO and PROACTIVE are both program/project being managed by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.). The agency through these program/ project carries inclusive implementation by considering the involvement and advantage of the IP communities.
For the SUBATRA-ECSO, there are 790 IP beneficiaries. From this number, 176 (86 M, 90 F) were selected and have underwent training on human rights, and 510 (46 M, 464 F) on various skills training. There were 408 IP families who have received food packs during the provision of services in July 2023. Aside from this, there are 109 total number of completers (who are IP) to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) implemented in the camps.
For PROACTIVE, there are 18 IP members of a cooperative; 80 IP members of People’s Organizations and; 33 IP members of the local social formation created. Two tribal halls intended for IP beneficiaries will also be constructed through this program.
SUBATRA-ECSO is funded by the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
PROACTIVE gets funds from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU).
For the BDA Inc., inclusive program/project implementation does not only include the IP communities, it also works for other vulnerable groups such as women, widows, solo parents, youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs), elderlies, person with disabilities (PWDs), transitioning combatants, others.
Operating since 2002, BDA Inc., now working as non-government organization starting 2019 sustain its value for an inclusive development services, within and beyond the Bangsamoro Region.