News and Stories (160)
BDA attends ceremonial signing of BOL
Written by BDA Communications
Joining the momentum brought about by recent milestone in history of the Bangsamoro, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) attended the ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on August 6, 2018 at the Malacañang Palace in Manila.
BDA executive director Mohammad S. Yacob told that the event was indeed historical and “happy”.
“It was a happy moment, we at BDA joins the rest of the Bangsamoro who are celebrating for the signing of the BOL”, Dir. Yacob stated.
He expressed congratulations to the whole Bangsamoro and of appreciation to development and donor partners from the United Nations, World Bank, European Union, JICA and among others for sharing the joy by attending the said ceremonial signing.
“We again reiterate that as development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), we believe that the BOL will further enhance our development efforts to communities needing of assistance towards better life”, Dir. Yacob stressed.
BDA and CHD discuss post-conflict mediation in BARMM
Written by BDA Communications
Geneva-based Liam Foran and country director Lona Jalijali of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) visited the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) on May 22, 2019 at BDA Central Management Office in Cotabato City to discuss mediation and immediate impact development intervention in support of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). They were received by the BDA new executive director Engr. Windel Diangcalan.
The CHD Centre is an independent mediation organisation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, dedicated to improving the global response to armed conflict. Since establishing a country programme in the Philippines in 2004, HD has supported the implementation of existing peace agreements in Mindanao, south of the Philippines, between the Government and various armed groups, mediated in local clan conflicts, and helped the Government reach a landmark peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“Since 2009, HD has been a member of the International Contact Group (ICG) which helped shepherd the parties towards these landmark agreements that aim to end decades of conflict that has cost more than 100,000 lives. The two milestone accords, which were facilitated by Malaysia, serve as a road map to political and structural reforms in Muslim Mindanao, such as the creation of a new autonomous political entity which will be known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region”, director Jalijali said.
The BDA, on the hand, is on the transition process as relevant and strategic development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the post conflict situation.
Director Diangcalan shared that “in this current landscape, the BDA aims to actively engage in crafting and implementing development services within and outside BARMM”.
He further shared, “BDA had developed itself as part of MILF and as a registered juridical entity in the coming days, it will remain faithful to the agenda of autonomy and development”.
“The agency develops its strategy in close coordination with the other agencies within MILF social movement to keep the spirit of the MILF alive and the source of inspiration for the future of Bangsamoro. BDA believes in strong coordination of its activities with the ministries of the BARMM government that are involved in economy & livelihood activities and BDA is looking for a partnership with the BARMM government as a long term mutual commitment”, Diangcalan added.
“We are here to explore areas of partnership and collaboration with key stakeholders in BARMM to carry mediation, as core mandate of CHD, in post conflict context to sustain their support to the Bangsamoro after the ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the establishment of BARMM”, Foran stressed.
Asked on how mediation in the post conflict situation can take place in Bangsamoro, Engr. Diangcalan underscores that in this current political landscape we can look at bridging the BARMM ministries and the Bangsamoro communities with regard to the delivery of basic goods and services in timely fashion and at the same come up with strategic messaging to manage high expectation at the ground.
The CHD facilitated the formulation of the Unified Bangsamoro Development Plan (UBDP) through the Bangsamoro Development Planning Team composed of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and MILF representatives. BOD Chair Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan and former executive director Dr. Mohammad Yacob led the MILF core team.
The UBDP has just submitted to the BARMM interim chief minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim on May 20.
BDA : signed BOL to enhance devt. projects to communities
Written by BDA Communications
Joining the mass of the Bangsamoro who convened recently on July 29,2018 at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao for the Bangsamoro Consultative Assembly, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) expressed support and optimism to the signed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) previously known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
“First we congratulate the whole Bangsamoro for this historic achievement”, BDA executive director Mohammad S. Yacob said.
He stated that the signing of the BOL is a welcome development for BDA and that it will enhance further the development projects and initiatives for conflict communities.
BDA is the development wing of the MILF, carrying out various programs to vulnerable areas in Mind since 2002.
“Through this BOL, we are optimistic that more people will be served for better and quality life long been aspired by many especially of those who wanted to move on from the effects of conflict,” Yacob ended.
Amanah Islamic Bank educates BDA of Islamic Banking
Written by BDA Communications
Officers from the Al-Amanah Islamic Bank visited the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) for an orientation of their products and services on January 11, 2019 corresponding to the weekly meeting of the agency.
Mohammad S. Yacob, BDA executive director welcomed the visitors together with the key officers and staff of the agency.
During the activity, Nasor Abdullatif presented about Al-Amanah Islamic Bank, discussed its products and services, which accordingly are Shari’ah compliant.
In his session, Abdulgafor also spoke about the relevance of promoting Islamic Banking as one way for one to have halal living.
Atty. Imelda Tarhata Macarambon, talked about brief story of the Al-Amanah Islamic Bank and how it has evolved realizing its role in the promotion of Islamic banking among Muslims.
“From our system before, we have enhanced and simplified some of our requirements for instance, our micro finance service” Atty. Macarambon stated.
She clarified that Amanah Bank shall comply with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the bank does not made the decisions and requirements by itself.
She likewise mentioned about good stories of some of their clients who availed their services and became a successful entrepreneur.
Atty. Macarambon expressed hope for the support of fellow Muslims for the Amanah Bank, which at present is strengthening its advocacy on the promotion of Islamic Banking.
The Amanah Bank Team also mentioned about their possible role once the Bangsamoro Government is established.
“Let us help one another. For every deposit, think that you are helping your fellow Muslims. And when we help each other, we are helping the Ummah”, she said.
Julhaina Cadon, BDA head for finance division facilitated the open forum where BDA staff raised some questions like microfinancing, car loan, hajj (pilgrimage) and among others.
The visitors responded accordingly the queries from participants and told that whoever interested may come to their Cotabato City Branch for further information and assistance.
Reina Madonna Gayak, Amanah Bank- Cotabato City Branch Manager and Lady Asrea Usman were other officer from the bank attended the activity.
IN PHOTO: Prof. Yoshida of Hiroshima University visited the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) on April 19, 2019.
BDA executive director Windel Diangcalan, welcomed the vistor.
3rd Project Executive Committee (PEC) Meeting for MTF-RDP/2-AECID
Written by BDA Communications
Project partners for the Mindanao Trust Fund- Reconstruction and Development Project Phase II (MTFRDP/2-AECID) met on March 5, 2019 at CFSI Headquarters in Pasay City for the 3rd Project Executive Committee (PEC) Meeting.
Engr. Windel Diangcalan, deputy executive director of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) represented agency to said meeting.