PASIG CITY — To further integrate and harmonize economic, social, and environmental considerations as vital dimensions of sustainable development policy and practice in the BARMM, members of the Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board (BSDB) from the National and Bangsamoro Governments gathered for their second organizational meeting on July 3, 2024 in Pasig City.

BSDB Co-Chairperson from the Bangsamoro Government, Senior Minister Abunawas L. Maslamama, said that these meetings are designed to discuss matters that will advance the development of the Bangsamoro region. He said that the development of the BARMM is the development of the entire country as well.

In support of Senior Minister Maslamama’s statement, BSDB Co-Chair from the National Government, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, shared data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, reporting that BARMM continues to make strides in its economic growth and improvement in terms of reducing poverty incidence in the region. He said that “these recent developments are a testament to our collective efforts and the potential for a brighter future.”

The agenda for the BSDB’s second meeting focused on the draft Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Framework and the issue of remitting the share of the revenues generated by the Agus 1 and 2 Hydroelectric Power Plants (HEPPs) to the BARMM.

The draft Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Framework, which will guide the BSDB’s collective efforts toward sustainable development in the Bangsamoro region, was presented by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) through Forest Management Services (FMS) Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan, guided by the leadership of Minister Akmad A. Brahim and Director General for ENR Atty. Badr E. Salendab.

Director Umngan highlighted in his presentation the “pressing need for policy recommendations on forest management with socio-economic development goals intrinsic to the normalization process.” He presented a study that seeks to integrate Sustainable Forest Management into peacebuilding efforts in implementing the normalization process. The study aims to be a potential reference in completing the BSD Framework.

Moreover, during the 18th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) held on May 8, 2024, the IGRB directed the BSDB to hold its second meeting to discuss Bangsamoro’s share in the revenues generated from Agus 1 and 2 HEPPs. Today, the BSDB heard presentations from the BARMM Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management (MFBM), through Bangsamoro Treasurer Naila Z. Dimaraw, and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), through Corporation President Dennis Edward de la Serna, regarding their respective positions.

BDG Atty. Salendab also raised a topic about the Agus 4, 5, 6, and 7 HEPPs, which are located outside BARMM but source their water from Lake Lanao in the BARMM province of Lanao del Sur.

As a result of today’s meeting, the BSDB agreed to create a Technical Level Committee (TLC) to further discuss the issue of revenue sharing in Agus 1 and 2, including 4, 5, 6, and 7 HEPPs. Later this year, the BSDB will hold a third meeting to present the outcome of the TLC process and go over the developments of the BSD Framework formulation.

Co-Chair Secretary Balisacan additionally underscored the importance of working together toward a stronger Bangsamoro, and that the Board remains committed to collaborating to ensure that the policies and programs formulated and implemented are aligned with their shared pursuit of economic and social transformation.

The BSDB, an Intergovernmental Relations Body, is created through Article VI, Section 8 of the Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 31. It is responsible for integrating and harmonizing economic, social, and environmental factors, essential components of sustainable development policy and implementation within the BARMM.