| Cotabato City—A full scale implementation of the | | | | Specifically, Dr. Candao reported that BDA has been |
| peace initiatives and development efforts are | | | | working closely with the different stakeholders in |
| expected to take effect after a comprehensive | | | | Mindanao particularly the LGU and other government |
| peace pact is signed between the Moro Islamic | | | | line agencies. |
| Liberation Front (MILF) and the national government. | | | | Meanwhile, EASSD Sector Director Christian Delvoie |
| This was the pronouncement of the high ranking | | | | expressed concern over the plight of still many |
| officials of the Bangsamoro Development Agency | | | | communities whose needs for development has been |
| (BDA) during a luncheon meeting with the World Bank | | | | taken for granted or worse, neglected by the |
| delegates who paid visit to Mindanao to assess the | | | | government. Delvoie asked BDA how they will reach |
| on-going implementation of the Mindanao Trust | | | | out to these marginalized sectors of the society. |
| Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program | | | | In response, BDA Executive Director Dr. Danda N. |
| (MTF-RDP) in some pilot areas in Mindanao. | | | | Juanday cited the fielding of the regional project |
| “Political solution to the Mindanao problem is rather | | | | management offices (RPMOs) as a big step towards |
| imperative- that’s the only way we can achieve | | | | alleviating if not totally eradicating the socio-economic |
| peace which will eventually pave the way for the | | | | burden of the communities. |
| all-out delivery of development efforts to the | | | | “We are optimistic that with the resumption of the |
| war-ravaged Bangsamoro communities”, said BDA | | | | peace negotiation this month, we can also work |
| Chairman Dr. Abas A. Candao. | | | | tremendously and achieve positive results”, Juanday |
| Dr. Candao emphasized that though they are | | | | added. |
| mandated to deliver the socio-economic needs of their | | | | He also stressed that BDA exert all efforts to ensure |
| communities, BDA’s operation can only fully take | | | | that they are prepared to take the lead once a |
| off once a final peace settlement to the Bangsamoro | | | | full-blown implementation will take place. |
| struggle is reached. | | | | MTF Mindanao Team Leader Mary Judd was also |
| He also added that BDA, as a development arm of | | | | among the delegates together with World Bank |
| the MILF, ensures that the development projects | | | | consultant Mr. Roberto Tordecilla and Rural |
| poured in the Bangsamoro-dominated areas would not | | | | Development Unit Head-WB Ms. Carol Geron. |
| undermine the MILF’s clamor for self-determination. | | | | BDA-BOD Ustadz Abdulkadir Abdullah, Windel |
| Moreover, the meeting also allowed the BDA to | | | | Diangcalan, Aida Silongan; BDA adviser Mr. Dan |
| explain to the visitors about the past and current | | | | Dimakenal; Training Division Heads Prof. Abdul Lantong |
| undertakings relative to MTF-RDP and other programs | | | | and Ms. Ruby Andong and some CPMO staff also |
| when the latter inquired about how BDA is working in | | | | joined for the luncheon meeting. |
| terms of serving its communities. | | | | |