Bangsamoro Development Planbangsamorodevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/INTRODUCT… · A. Overall Goal of the Bangsamoro Development Plan 34 ... E. Strengthening Fiscal Autonomy

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Bangsamoro Development Plan

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© 2015 by the Bangsamoro Development Agency

All rights reserved. Any part of this book may be used and reproduced, provided proper acknowledgment is made.


Promoting just, honorable and lasting peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro

Published by:

Bangsamoro Development Agency

Purok Islam, Barangay Datu Balabaran (MB Tamontaka), Cotabato City

Tel: (064) 552-0131

Email: [email protected]

www.bangsamorodevelopment.org

Cover photos courtesy of the Philippine Official Gazette, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and

PhilSouth Angle.

ISBN: 978-621-95209-2-8

Printed in the Philippines

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Contents

Acronyms ix

Foreword x

Acknowledgements xii

The Vision of the Bangsamoro Development Plan xv

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

A. Background 2

B. Objective 3

C. Outline of the Plan 3

Chapter 2: History and Analysis of Conflict in the Bangsamoro 5

A. A Brief History of the Bangsamoro Struggle 6

B. Conflict and Development Analysis of the Bangsamoro 8

Chapter 3: Plan Methodology and the Bangsamoro Development Framework 11

A. Guiding Principles 12

B. The Bangsamoro Development Framework 12

C. Technical Analysis 14

D. Clamor from the Ground 15

E. Review of Relevant National and Regional Development Plans 15

F. Limitations 15

Chapter 4: Current Situation, Development Gaps, and Opportunities in the Bangsamoro 17

A. Background 18

B. The Vicious Cycle in the Bangsamoro 20

C. Development Gaps in the Bangsamoro 23

D. Development Opportunities 24

Chapter 5: Clamor from the Ground 27

A. Community Visioning Exercises: Results and Insights 28

B. Cross-Validation of Consolidated Outputs 31


Chapter 7: Economy and Livelihood 39

A. Context: Economic Performance, Poverty, and Livelihood in the Bangsamoro 40

B. Strategic Goals 46

C. Summary of Priority Programs 56

Chapter 8: Infrastructure 59

A. Context: A Fragmented and Overstretched Infrastructure Network 60



Chapter 9: Social Services 71

A. Context: Education, Health, and WaSH in the Bangsamoro 72



Chapter 10: Environment and Natural Resources 93

A. Context: Rich but Fragile Natural Resources and Ecological Heritage 94


C. Strategies 101

D. Summary of Priority Programs 103

Chapter 11: Culture and Identity 105

A. Context: The Diverse Culture in the Bangsamoro 106

B. Strategies 108


Chapter 12: Governance 111

A. Context: Governance Structures and Systems in the Bangsamoro 112

B. Transition Period Phase 114

C. Transition Challenges, Features, and Targets 115

Chapter 6: Strategy and Recommendations 33

A. Overall Goal of the Bangsamoro Development Plan 34

B. Strategic Interventions 35

C. Priorities 35

D. Potential Impacts 35

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D. Promoting Shari’ah Justice 126

E. Strengthening Fiscal Autonomy in the Bangsamoro 128

F. Normalization and Development

G. Summary of Priority Programs

128

129

Chapter 13: Proposed Implementation Arrangements and Financial Modalities 131

A. General Principles 132

B. Proposed Implementation Arrangements 132

C. Relationships with Key Partners 134

D. Role of Community Leaders and Organizers 135

E. Training and Strategic Research 135

F. Possible Financing Modalities 136

Chapter 14: Challenges and Mitigating Measures 139

Chapter 15: Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 143

A. Objectives 144

B. Guiding Principles 145

Annexes 147

Annex A: BDP Priority Programs 148

Annex B: BDP Governance Structure 152

Annex C: Relevant National and Regional Development Plans 159

Annex D: Clamor from the Ground 160

Annex E: Poorest Provinces and Municipalities in the Philippines 166

Annex F: Cultural Diversity in the Bangsamoro 173

Annex G: Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 175

BDP Background Papers 190

References 192


List of TablesTable 1: List of BDP Themes, Components, and Participating PartnersTable 2: Selected Indicators of Development GapsTable 3: Economy and Livelihood-Related Concerns, Aspirations, and Priority ProgramsTable 4: Social Development-Related Concerns, Aspirations, and Priority ProgramsTable 5: Environment and Natural Resource-Related Concerns, Aspirations, and Priority ProgramsTable 6: Culture and Identity-Related Concerns, Aspirations, and Priority ProgramsTable 7: Governance-Related Concerns, Aspirations, and Priority ProgramsTable 8: Security-Related Concerns, Aspirations, and Priority ProgramsTable 9: Top Community Priorities Based on Previous Needs AssessmentsTable 10: Sequencing of Recommended Projects/Activities for Phases I and II of the Transition PeriodTable 11: Targets on Human Capital and Household WelfareTable 12: Average Annual Production of Key Crops in ‘000 mt (2010–2013)Table 13: Sources of Credit in the Bangsamoro (2011)Table 14: Youth Unemployment and Labor Force Participation (2013)Table 15: Priority Economy and Livelihood ProgramsTable 16: Status of Electrification in ARMM (2013)Table 17: Infrastructure Strategies and Project TypesTable 18: Priority Infrastructure ProgramsTable 19: Prevalence of Undernutrition Among Children (0–5 Years Old) in ARMM (2008–2013)Table 20: Housing Needs Estimate by Housing Indicator in ARMM (2010–2017)Table 21: Access to Education for Internally Displaced Persons (2011)Table 22: Distribution of Elementary Schools by Type (SY 2013 and 2014)Table 23: Priority Social ProgramsTable 24: Forest Cover Change in ARMM in Hectares (2003–2010)Table 25: Proclaimed Watersheds in ARMM (2012)Table 26: Priority Environment and Natural Resource ProgramsTable 27: Priority Culture and Identity ProgramsTable 28: Challenges, Features, and Targets of Transition Phases I, II, and IIITable 29: Priority Governance and Justice Programs Table 30: BDP Project Steering CommitteeTable 31: BDP Advisory Council Table 32: BDP Joint Review CommitteeTable 33: BDP Core Planning TeamTable 34: Thematic Area Focal PersonsTable 35: BDP Support TeamTable 36: Thematic Area ConsultantsTable 37: National Government AgenciesTable 38: ARMM Line AgenciesTable 39: Overview of MCSOPP Consultation OutputsTable 40: Ranking of Poverty Incidence in the Philippines, by Province (2006, 2009, and 2012) Table 41: 100 Poorest Municipalities and Cities in the Philippines (2006 and 2009) Table 42: Location and Population of ICCs/IPs in ARMM, Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, and the Cities of Isabela and CotabatoTable 43: Proposed Implementation Arrangements for RbM&ETable 44: Overall Goal and Strategies of the BDP Table 45: Logical Framework MatrixTable 46: Indicators to Monitor and Evaluate

16232929303031313236384244445663657076788182919596

104110116129152152153153154154155156158164166169173

175178178184

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List of Figures8

131824252534374141414343456060616172737374747576767777

107107113133

Figure 1: Annual Trend of GPH-MILF Armed Skirmishes (2002–2014)Figure 2: Bangsamoro Development FrameworkFigure 3: The Vicious Cycle of Injustice, Insecurity, and UnderdevelopmentFigure 4: Population Age and Gender Projections (2010 and 2040)Figure 5: ARMM Budget 2009–2014Figure 6: Current Aid Strategy and Practice: A Macro Perspective (2001–2010)Figure 7: Transforming a Vicious Cycle to a Virtuous CycleFigure 8: GRDP Growth Scenarios in Bangsamoro (2011–2016)Figure 9: Sectoral Composition of ARMM GRDP: Four-Year Average (2009–2012) Figure 10: Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry Sector Growth (1996–2012)Figure 11: Nominal Value of Production of Top 10 Major Crops in the ARMM: 5-Year Average (2008–2012)Figure 12: Total Bank Deposits in ARMM (as of end Dec 2013) Figure 13: Total Bank Loans in ARMM (as of end Dec 2013)Figure 14: Poverty Incidence in ARMM (2006–2012)Figure 15: National Road Density (2012)Figure 16: Ratio of Paved National Roads (2012)Figure 17: Ratio of Paved Farm-to-Market Roads in ARMM (2005)Figure 18: Ratio of Irrigated to Estimated Irrigable Area (2000–2012)Figure 19: Human Development Index in the Bangsamoro (2000–2009)Figure 20: Education Attainment, All Ages (2010)Figure 21: Education Attainment, 18 Years Old and Above (2013)Figure 22: Percent of Children (12–23 Months Old) with No Vaccinations (1998–2013)Figure 23: Percent of Children (12–23 Months Old) Who Received All Basic Vaccinations (1998–2013)Figure 24: Government Health Workers per 100,000 Population (2011)Figure 25: Percent of Households with Health Insurance (2013)Figure 26: Percent of Women (15–49 Years Old) with Health Insurance (2013)Figure 27: Percent of Households with Access to Improved Safe Water Supply (2011)Figure 28: Percent of Households with Access to Sanitary Toilet Facilities (2011)Figure 29: Ethnic Diversity in the Bangsamoro (2010)Figure 30: Religious Diversity in the Bangsamoro (2010)Figure 31: Principal Sources of Government Funds to ARMM (2009–2011)Figure 32: Proposed Implementation Arrangements


List of MapsMap 1: The Proposed Bangsamoro Core Territory (BCT) (2014)Map 2: Poverty Incidence, by Province (2012)Map 3: Number of Establishments by Municipality (2012) and Municipalities Served by Banks (2013)Map 4: Displaced Households in the Bangsamoro and Surrounding Areas (2009)Map 5: Agro-Edaphic Maps of the Bangsamoro and Adjacent Areas (as of 2012)Map 6: Major Airports and Seaports in Mindanao (2014)Map 7: Transportation Network in the Bangsamoro (2014)Map 8: Barangay Access to Electricity and Electrification Projects in the Bangsamoro (2014–2015)Map 9: Barangay Access to Primary Education Facilities and Distribution of Population by Barangay (6–12 Years Old) (2010)Map 10: Barangay Access to Health Centers and Distribution of Population by Barangay (2010)Map 11: Barangay Access to Waterworks System and Distribution of Household Population by Barangay (2010)Map 12: Integrated Mining Map (EO 79) (2013)Map 13: Vulnerability (2008)Map 14: Ethnic Diversity Index (2010)

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AcronymsADB Asian Development BankAFF Agriculture, Fishery and ForestryAFP Armed Forces of the PhilippinesARG ARMM Regional GovernmentARMM Autonomous Region in Muslim MindanaoARMM-DAF Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao- Department of Agriculture and FisheriesBBL Bangsamoro Basic LawBCT Bangsamoro Core TerritoryBDA Bangsamoro Development AgencyBDP Bangsamoro Development PlanBDF Bangsamoro Development FrameworkBIAF Bangsamoro Islamic Armed ForcesBIWA Bangsamoro Islamic Women AuxiliaryBIMP-EAGA Brunei Darrusalam-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East ASEAN Growth AreaBSP Bangko Sentral ng PilipinasBTA Bangsamoro Transition AuthorityBTC Bangsamoro Transition CommissionCAA Conflict-Affected AreaCAB Comprehensive Agreement on the BangsamoroCCT Conditional Cash TransferCDD Community-Driven DevelopmentCPH Census of Population and HousingCT4T Coordination Team for the TransitionDA Department of AgricultureDAR Department of Agrarian ReformDOE Department of EnergyDOTC Department of Transportation and CommunicationsDPWH Department of Public Works and HighwaysEC Electric CooperativeFAB Framework Agreement on the BangsamoroFMR Farm-to-Market RoadFIES Family Income and Expenditure Survey

ICP Independent Commission on PolicingIDB Independent Decommissioning BodyIDP Internally Displaced Person GAD Gender and DevelopmentGAA General Appropriations ActGDP Gross Domestic ProductGPH Government of the PhilippinesGRDP Gross Regional Domestic ProductGRP Government of the Republic of the PhilippinesJCCCH Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of HostilitiesJICA Japan International Cooperation AgencyJNC Joint Normalization CommitteeLFS Labor Force SurveyLGU Local Government UnitMILF Moro Islamic Liberation FrontMIM Moro Independence MovementMNLF Moro National Liberation FrontMOA-AD Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral DomainMTF-RDP Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development ProgramNDHS National Demographic and Health Survey NPC National Power CorporationODA Official Development AssistancePAG Private Armed GroupPAMANA Payapa at Masaganang PamayananPDP Philippine Development PlanPSA Philippine Statistics Authority PNP Philippine National PolicePPP Public-Private PartnershipREZA Regional Economic Zone AuthoritySDF Special Development FundTISP Transition Investment Support Plan for the ARMMTJRC Transitional Justice and Reconciliation CommissionTPMT Third-Party Monitoring Team

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Foreword

In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful

The challenges to nation-building are very daunting.

This is more so in the case of revolutionary organizations

that are tasked to lead governments during transitions

after successful peace negotiations. In the case of the

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), we are aware

that our more than four decades of knowledge and

experience in the struggle for the Bangsamoro right to

self-determination are hardly sufficient and relevant.

Our decision to create the Bangsamoro Development

Agency (BDA) in 2002 in pursuance of the relevant

provisions of the agreement between the MILF and the

Government of the Philippines (GPH) underpins our

solid commitment to a just, lasting and honorable peace

and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro and

its adjacent areas even while the peace negotiation is

still ongoing. As a genuine pro-people struggle, MILF

is never against development that will redound to the

improvement of the deplorable condition of grassroots

communities.

The signing of the Framework Agreement on the

Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement

on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the endorsement of the

proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to Congress

demonstrated to us the unwavering commitment and firm

resolve of H.E. President Benigno C. Aquino III to, once

and for all, address the roots of the conflict in Mindanao.

In anticipation of a scenario of peace and intensive

nation-building in the emerging Bangsamoro, we tasked

our development arm, the BDA, to coordinate with

donors and development partners, to conduct needs

assessment in the Bangsamoro, and to facilitate the

formulation of the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP).

We are proud that despite seemingly insurmountable

challenges that they faced in the course of crafting

the BDP, the men and women of BDA rose with firm

determination to the challenge of designing a blueprint for

development that seeks to address the fundamental needs

and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people, who have lived

in a vicious cycle of injustice, conflict, and poverty for

generations.

This Plan is intended to bring about equitable, inclusive,

and sustainable recovery and development of Bangsamoro

areas whose constituents also include both indigenous and

migrant communities.

The Plan takes into consideration the unique needs

and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. It includes

the promotion of economic growth, equal access to

employment and livelihood opportunities, human capacity

development, and elimination of social and economic

inequities that have resulted from decades of neglect,

historical injustice, poverty, and inequality.

To ensure attainment of these objectives, we adopted a

comprehensive framework that is based on the Sustainable

Human Development and Peacebuilding Frameworks

combined with the Bangsamoro core values of khalifa

(stewardship), piety, transparency, accountability, and

inclusiveness, among others. We made sure that these

principles were adhered to when community visioning

exercises and consultations were done among different

stakeholders in our communities within and outside the

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proposed Bangsamoro core territories, in addition to the

technical inputs contributed by our expert Bangsamoro

focal persons as well as the technical experts deployed

by our local and international partners.

Cognizant of the difficulties in crafting a plan for

communities emerging from conflict, we convey

our sincere thanks to all aid agencies, development

partners, and counterparts in government who

collaborated with BDA, thus paving the way for the

realization of this Plan. Your sincere support opened a

window of opportunity for our vision for a peaceful and

progressive Bangsamoro to possibly see the dawning of

a new day.

The transition period to the Bangsamoro is very short

and this Plan will remain a plan if not implemented

through different programs and projects identified in it.

It is of crucial importance, therefore, that aid agencies

and development partners who accompanied us early

in our journey towards lasting peace and development,

continue to walk with us until we are able to jumpstart

a “just economy” that will provide equal access to

livelihood, jobs, justice, and security to all residents of

the Bangsamoro in the short and medium terms.

The fruits of our struggle, attained not only through the

sweat and tears of our mujahideen and their families

but more so through the blood and lives of our martyrs,

are not only for MILF members. It is for the entire

Bangsamoro to partake regardless of ethnic, religious,

and political affiliations including the indigenous peoples

and migrant communities living in our midst. Once our

objectives are attained, it is not only the Bangsamoro

people that will be benefited but the entire Filipino

people as well.

Let this Plan be an enduring legacy of our struggle for the

Bangsamoro of today and tomorrow.

AL-HAJ MURAD EBRAHIMChairmanMILF Central Committee

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Acknowledgements


Early in the creation of the Bangsamoro Development

Agency (BDA) in 2002, we aspired to formulate a

Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) that would serve

as a comprehensive roadmap for the just, equitable,

and sustainable reconstruction and development of

Bangsamoro communities ravaged by several decades

of armed conflict. At the BDA, we have been seeking

to address the fundamental needs and aspirations of the

Bangsamoro as a people, who have lived in a vicious

cycle of injustice, violence, and poverty for generations.

However, constraints on technical expertise and other

resources hindered the realization of this dream.

The signing of the Framework Agreement on the

Bangsamoro (FAB) on 15 October 2012 suddenly

changed the outlook of donors and development partners

from one of indifference to one of eagerness to support

the preparation of the Plan. This is understandable, since

the FAB is the first breakthrough agreement that has

solidly galvanized the commitment of the Moro Islamic

Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the

Philippines (GPH) to peacefully resolve the decades-old

conflict in Mindanao. The signing of the Comprehensive

Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) on 27 March 2014

further reinforced confidence in the positive outcome

of the peace process. Indeed the FAB paved the way

toward the crafting of a blueprint for development in the

Bangsamoro.

As a demonstration of their overwhelming support,

aid agencies, and development partners responded

positively to the convening of the MTF-funded 1st

Donors Forum conducted by the BDA at the Asian

Institute of Management Conference Center Manila on

3 September 2013. The basis of this important work is an

official directive from no less than the Chairman of the MILF

Central Committee that mandated the BDA on 22 March

2013 “to coordinate with donors and funding partners,

to conduct needs assessment in the Bangsamoro, and to

expedite the formulation of the Bangsamoro Development

Plan.”

The schedule of completion of the Plan was set for March

2014; however, this was initially hampered by unexpected

events beyond the control of BDA and its development

partners. The destructive earthquake that hit Bohol and the

super typhoon Yolanda that devastated Tacloban and other

adjoining areas in the Visayas region temporarily shifted the

attention of aid agencies from the BDP to the immediate

relief and rehabilitation of these ravaged areas. In addition,

there were also other unforeseen technical challenges and

geographic location issues that were encountered along the

way while implementing the various activities. All of these

issues contributed to the delay of the plan completion.

This work is rendered extraordinarily challenging by the

fact that it is being done for the Bangsamoro Homeland that

is just emerging from a long history of violent conflict. We

are well aware that we have to set overarching targets that

cannot be easily translated into numerical figures such as

stability and confidence building, while at the same time,

realizing the need to set quantifiable goals in other thematic

areas of the Plan. In so doing, we have to be constantly

mindful of utilizing a peacebuilding lens believing that no

amount of prosperity could be achieved and preserved if

the roots of the conflict are not addressed.

We tried our best to make the planning activities as

participatory and inclusive as possible to ensure ownership

of the plan by all stakeholders in the Bangsamoro. We

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derived inputs from reports of various technical experts

who conducted research, analyzed data, and formulated

recommendations. We extensively utilized a bottom-up

approach through our community visioning exercises

and grassroots consultations to determine the real needs

and aspirations of Bangsamoro communities from the

people themselves within and outside the proposed core

territories.

This work is designed as a plan by the Bangsamoro for the

Bangsamoro whose constituents include other indigenous

peoples and settler communities. It is a means by which

the Bangsamoro dreams and aspirations as a people will

be finally realized. But, with all humility, the completion

of this project would not have been possible without the

support of local and international funding agencies and

development partners who mobilized financial assistance

and technical experts to support the BDA-BDP Team in the

conduct of its activities.

We express our gratitude to the World Bank-managed

MTF and all its donor partners—the European Union,

the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of

Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and

Development (DFATD) of Canada, the New Zealand

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZFAT), the Swedish

International Development Agency (SIDA), and the United

States Agency for International Development (USAID)—for

allocating funds and deploying local and international

consultants for assisting the BDA Core Planning Team.

We also recognize the significant support of the Japan

International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in mobilizing

consultants who worked on several thematic and sub-

thematic areas of the plan and for deploying consultants

also in the BDP Core Planning Team.

We acknowledge the very important contributions of the

agencies of the United Nations (UN) and the International

Organization on Migration (IOM) that addressed potential

gaps that could have rendered the Plan incomplete if

left unattended. The deployment of their consultants to

assist the Core Planning Team to complete its task even

after the submission of reports on the different thematic

and sub-thematic areas undertaken by relevant agencies

is a testament to their unwavering support for peace and

development in Mindanao.

Our thanks also go to the Asian Development Bank

(ADB) for providing invaluable support to our Advisory

Council and in procuring technical experts who

assisted us in producing a study on the sub-themes on

infrastructure and regional cooperation.

The Asia Foundation (TAF) also deserves our sincere

appreciation for providing technical experts who worked

on the thematic areas of governance and security.

Our Plan would have been incomplete without the

attention given to the private sector initiatives particularly

in agribusiness, halal industry and Islamic banking and

finance. It is a fact that private investment serves as the

real engine for economic growth and development in

the community. Thanks to the team of experts provided

by the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) who

conducted an MTF-funded study for the BDA, entitled

“Strategic Roadmaps for the Development of Agribusiness

Industry, Halal Food Industry, and Islamic Banking

and Finance in the Bangsamoro” dated July 2014. This

study also benefited from parallel workshops conducted

by the FEF and the Philippine Council for Islam and

Democracy (PCID) and funded by the Australian

Government on “Private Investment Opportunities in the

Bangsamoro” that commenced in November 2013. Both

the aforementioned study and workshops have provided

vital inputs in the formulation of the BDP.

One herculean challenge in formulating the Plan was the

inaccessibility of some available data and other statistics

that were needed in carrying out the analysis by the

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consultants and technical staff of the BDP team. Getting

these needed data would have been impossible without

the cooperation of the different regional and national

line agencies of the government. In particular, we would

like to express our thanks to the consistent support of the

National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA),

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

(OPAPP), and the Department of Finance (DOF) for

facilitating the timely cooperation of various government

agencies.

Also, we are deeply indebted to all members of the

BDP Project Steering Committee, BDP Core Planning

Team, BDP Advisory Council, and BDP focal persons,

as well as local and international consultants and non-

government organizations such as the Consortium of

Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) and the Mindanao Civil

Society Organizations Platform for Peace (MCSOPP) for

contributing to the successful formulation of this Plan.

Without their sincere and untiring efforts, this project

would have remained a dream.

Lastly, our sincere gratitude goes to our principal, the

MILF Central Committee, particularly the Honorable

Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim for entrusting to us

this difficult mission. It is through their inspiration and

guidance that we were able to accomplish this Plan.

Finally, all our praises and thanks belong to our Almighty

Allah for giving us the strength, perseverance, and

wisdom to fullfil a daunting task—the preparation of

the BDP. May this Plan be instrumental in realizing

our dream for a dynamic, peaceful, and prosperous

Bangsamoro.

DR. SAFFRULLAH M. DIPATUANChairman, Bangsamoro Development Agency Chairman, BDP Project Steering Committee

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JUST AND LASTING PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE BANGSAMORO:THE VISION OF THE BANGSAMORO DEVELOPMENT PLAN

We, the Bangsamoro people, under the guidance of the Almighty Allah,envision the Bangsamoro as a just, peaceful, and prosperous society

of empowered people and communities, enjoying a dignified quality of lifeenhanced by inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities.

In pursuit of this envisioned society, the Bangsamoro shall be supportedby responsive, participatory, and transparent governance systemsthat are reflective of the Bangsamoro’s distinct cultural identity,

and the right to self-determination.

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)

is the shared victory of the Bangsamoro and the Filipino

people as a whole, paving the way for the lasting resolution

of armed conflict in Mindanao and the establishment of

the Bangsamoro Government as a meaningful platform for

self-governance. However, the CAB and its component

agreements are but part of a longer journey. Despite its

potential natural and human resources, the envisioned

Bangsamoro core territory has historically been the

depressed region in the country. Plagued by limited

livelihood opportunities, inadequate social services,

inadequate institutions, and deep political, cultural and

economic inequity, generations of systemic injustice and

armed violence in the Bangsamoro have created serious

development challenges that must be overcome.

It is in this context that the Bangsamoro Development Plan

(BDP) seeks to articulate the Bangsamoro people’s most

fundamental needs and aspirations. It acknowledges that

enduring peace and stability can be attained through just,

inclusive, equitable, and highly tangible socioeconomic

rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development that

address the underlying causes of conflict in Bangsamoro

communities.

Guided by the Bangsamoro Development Framework

(BDF), embedded in this vision of attaining a “just,

peaceful, and prosperous society,” are the following

principles:

• Inclusiveness—guaranteeing that the benefits of

economic growth and the dividends from the peace

process shall be shared by all stakeholders in the

Bangsamoro territory, regardless of political or

ethnic affiliation, gender, or creed;

• Sustainability—ensuring that any growth or

development strategy pursued should not be at

the expense of access, use and enjoyment of God-

given natural resources by future generations of

Bangsamoro;

• Accountability—requiring that both the public

and private sectors be responsive to the needs of

the Bangsamoro’s constituents, that active citizens’

participation in all areas of development in the

region be encouraged, and that transparency and

accountability mechanisms in the use of public

resources and funds be built;

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• Cultural sensitivity—requiring that development

strategies be respectful of the culture and identity of

the various ethno-linguistic groups in the Bangsamoro

territory, in recognition of the collective struggle to

build a just, humane, and prosperous society;

• Self-reliance—recognizing that the strength of the

Bangsamoro lies in its ability to build and develop

its internal capacities, mobilizing local talents and

resources as the basis for just and equitable external

partnerships in and outside the region; and

• Self-determination—upholding the collective rights

of people to determine their own future, and by

virtue of that right, determine their political status,

and to freely pursue their economic, social, spiritual,

and cultural development.

Attaining a vision is a long-term agenda, and the aspiration

to a truly just, peaceful, and prosperous Bangsamoro as

stated above is no exception. Decades of hard work and

sustained resource investments will be needed to reach

wide latitude of development, let alone full transformation

of the Bangsamoro into a normalized society with a robust

and diversified economy. Hence, this Plan provides a clear

roadmap for immediate post-Agreement rehabilitation

and development, parallel to the ongoing political

and normalization transition that seeks to address the

socioeconomic roots of the Bangsamoro Question with

honor, justice, and dignity for all.

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Bangsamoro Development Planbangsamorodevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/INTRODUCT… · A. Overall Goal of the Bangsamoro Development Plan 34 ... E. Strengthening Fiscal Autonomy