DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said it is redesigning the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework to make it aligned with recent developments and ensure the island’s contribution to development targets towards 2030.
MinDA Executive Director Janet Lopoz cited “game-changing” developments that would impact on Mindanao, such as the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), the systemic shift to a federal form of government, the Ease of Doing Business law, and the foreseen bigger budget share for Mindanao.
“We are aligning the Mindanao strategies to make sure that Mindanao can contribute to the Philippine Development Targets,” Lopoz said during forum with journalists at the Apo View Hotel on Tuesday.
Lopoz said the Mindanao 2020 was crafted six years ago and needs “updating and redesigning” so that the structural change would redound to poverty reduction and would put the right socio-economic reforms in place.
She said the signing of the BOL is just one of the considerations, citing the need to consider the critical provisions of the BOL that could impact on Mindanao.
Lopoz also emphasized on aligning it with the government’s peace and security agenda, especially on terrorism and violent extremism, following the siege of Marawi.
Important initiatives must also be pushed forward, she said, such as the revival of the barter trade, opening up of the Indigenous People’s communities, land conversion, and land ownership.
In updating the 2020 agenda, Lopoz said MinDA launched a series of consultations with stakeholders and partners to help in setting the targets.
She said MinDA teams have been going around, holding consultations for the Mindanao 2030 Updating Framework. She said the agency also values the role of the media as vital in the monitoring – and informing – and communicating its initiatives to the public.
She said the Mindanao 2030 Framework will still be anchored on the Philippine Development Agenda and the Ambisyon Natin 2040.(Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
