Government gives focus on Mindanao development agenda

MOST of the issues and concerns raised by Mindanao stakeholders during the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) and the Philippine Development Forum (PDF) have been considered by the government for appropriate actions.

Reyzaldy Tan, director of Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) in Wednesday's Club 888 Media Forum told reporters that 12 of the 15-Point Priority Mindanao Development Agenda have been considered during the recent PDF which was held in Davao City last week.

Tan said these development agenda will be included in the government's four of the five Cabinet clusters including the Economic Development Cluster, Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Good Governance and Anti-Corruption.

Tan said their recommendation for Justice and Peace Cluster was not considered because it was non-specific. But he said they will still continue advocating for the issues and concerns they have identified for the same cluster.

"It can be considered as a policy, plan, program, or funding," Tan said when asked on what could be the possible action that the government may take to the recommendations they have raised.

Tan said majority of the recommendations that were considered are development issues in Mindanao.

"It is a good thing that the national government was made aware of the issues and concerns in Mindanao," Tan added.

At present, there has still been no monetary pledge for the identified concerns in Mindanao that were considered during the PDF.

Tan said after the holding of the PDF, people can't expect instant changes since it will take time and effort for the preparation before these programs be implemented.

The two-day PDF aimed to discuss the progress and challenges in sustaining high growth and promoting good governance that is being considered as one of the flagship program of the present administration in a bid to improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

The event also gathered all sectors of the society including high-ranking members and officials of the international development community, representatives from civil society, the academe and the private sector.