THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), through the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), is finalizing the roadmap to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
On Wednesday, February 24, the BPDA has convened its Technical Working Group (TWG) to finalize the plan.
Engineer Mohajirin Ali, BPDA director, said included in the Bangsamoro Response and Recovery Plan (BRRP) for Covid-19 pandemic are the adaptation to new normal and gradual recovery while managing the potential risk of wider infection in Barmm.
Ali said the four plan objectives of BRRP were as follows: To provide a framework for socio-economic recovery following the new normal guidelines and health protocols; to ensure a harmonized and convergence approach in the implementation of policies and priority programs and projects to mitigate and recover from the effect of Covid-19; to rationalize and maximize the utilization of Barmm resources and other sources; and to provide measures in strengthening institutional safeguards against Covid-19 and the possible occurrence of the future emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases.
Ali said the ministries and agencies have to review and justify their proposed programs and projects, especially the indicated budget.
“This is the reason why we have the meeting -- to validate all of these things based doon sa documents natin [...] we were able to project (roughly) a total of P72 billion in three years,” said Ali, who is also chairs the BRRP-TWG.
He said BRRP’s Priority Programs, Activities, Projects and Services (PAPS) for 2021-2022 include essential health services, social development, economic recovery, infrastructure support and good governance.
Once finalized and polished, the plan shall be subject to the approval of the Bangsamoro Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19 and the chief minister. (SunStar Zamboanga)