Saturday, April 28, 2007 BDA bares 4 major projects in conflict-affected areas By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) reveals major development projects that will be implemented in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.
BDA executive director Dr. Danda Juanday, during the ceremonial signing of the Mindanao Trust Fund Phase 1 (MTFP1) Thursday, said these projects include the improvement of the socio-economic condition in the conflict-affected areas, strengthening the organizational capacity of the BDA, improving the health condition of residents in the conflict-affected areas, and advocating on ecologically balanced environment.
The MTFP1 is a project initiative of the Canadian Government in response to the Philippine Government's call for peace and development in Mindanao.
The Canadian embassy through the Canadian International Development Agency (Cida) poured in a total of P70 million for the project's Phase 1 since it started in March last year.
Juanday said among areas that benefited from project's phase 1 are Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat, Tarragona in Davao Oriental, Matanog in Maguindanao, Balo-I, Lanao del Norte, Dinas in Zamboanga del Sur, and Tipo-Tipo, Baguindan, Isabela in Basilan.
"The people in these areas were able to establish a coco-pugon, which improved the processing of coconut products, a livelihood training center, roads, a multi-purpose building, and a post harvest facility," he said.
Juanday said BDA is the one that selects and decides what pilot areas would be given assistance.
"BDA selects the pilot areas, we present it to the World Bank and they present it back to us," Juanday said, adding that the criteria in choosing for the pilot areas are the following: poverty level of the area, number of conflicts in the area, security in the area, and the accessibility.
"We also study if the area has some existing projects," he said.
