MANILA — The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) held a Pre-Strategic Planning Meeting (SPM) on February 28-29 at the City Garden Suites Hotel in Manila. This meeting was in preparation for the upcoming Strategic Planning Meeting in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

The event was organized by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), with delegates from various partner agencies, including the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE). The activity served as a preparatory step for the Strategic Management Meeting in Malaysia, where the Rolling Pipeline of projects for 2023-2025 was presented and submitted.

MENRE, through the Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Research and Development Services, falls under BIMP-EAGA’s Environment Cluster for its conservation and ecotourism development project in the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA) abnd for the sustainable management of its natural resources and ecosystems. This project aims to align its sectorial strategies, fostering collaboration to ensure a systematic approach for the sustainable development and growth of the BIMP-EAGA initiatives.

The BIMP-EAGA initiative aims to promote the sustainable development of industries where the four countries involved already have or could easily develop a competitive advantage. These include environmental activities. The initiative seeks to generate balanced and inclusive growth and contribute to regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community.

Key officials graced the meeting, including delegates from MENRE-BARMM, namely FMS Director Abdul-Jalil Umngan, BERDS Director Mohamad Ali Dimaren, Chief Joeffry Kamid from BERDS and Chief Moammer A. Tabara from EMDS. Other attendees were from BPDA, MTIT, MOTC, MAFAR, MBHTE, BEZA, Director Rodrigo Giducos from MinDA Investments Promotion and Public Affairs Office, Usec and Chief of Staff for Department of Trade and Industry Ana Carolina Sanchez, Chief for International Relations Division Jonathan Miral, Usec, MinDA and Head of Philippine Coordination Office of BIMP-EAGA (Acting Senior Official for BIMP-EAGA) Janet M. Lopoz, MinDA Secretariat, and BIMP-EAGA Partners.

The upcoming Strategic Management Planning in Malaysia will focus on formulating and refining the strategic plan for BIMP-EAGA initiatives in 2024 for the effective implementation of the projects. The Biodiversity Ecosystems Research and Development Services’ mandate for Turtle Conservation and Ecotourism Development in the Turtle Island Heritage Protected Area is included in the rolling pipeline projects.