BARMM receives timely boost

DAVAO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is set to have another boost of infrastructure projects and development after the Mindanao Development Authority and the United Nations office for Project Services inked a new agreement.

MinDA Secretary Maria Belen Acosta and UNoPS country manager-Philippines, oscar Marenco on Thursday agreed to cooperate on technical assistance in infrastructure master planning and priority project identification as well as consideration of possible mechanisms for the development of infrastructure projects.

The new agreement’s major plan is the set-up of a project preparation facility, a rolling fund for local government units, state universities and colleges and other Mindanao partners.

The UN official stated that his office “share the vision of MinDA that there will only be sustainable development in Mindanao if there’s peace and stability. The vision that MinDA has is the vision that UNoPS and the UN system would like really to support.”

“What we are creating is a financial vehicle, we are investing PPF to the Philippines level. The pledges of support in terms of finances are coming next starting with small financing to several partners,” Marenco said.

The UNoPS head also disclosed that they are targeting the BARMM Region and other areas in Mindanao.

For the MinDA, Acosta said they will look into the needs of the LGU in term of project and match.

“That is the task of MinDA to harmonize, integrate and that no one is left behind. With the partnership with UNoPS, it will become more efficient since MinDA, as a government agency has limitations,” Acosta said.