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Policy Advocacy, Project Development and Review, and Resource Mobilization
Policy Advocacy,
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MinDA was able to mobilize funding from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the said study.
MinDA’s counterpart included links to agriculture and food networks in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Region XI and disseminated research results and advocacy during the MinDA Board meeting and Mindanao Policy Forum.
LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT ADVOCACY. In support to the Taraka Enterprise Development Program which aims to promote community farm as an alternative or as complementary livelihood, MinDA downloaded Php 2,370 375 to Taraka LGU, with this the LGU counterpart a total amount of P500,000 in the form of construction of layer house and egg room, human resource, and utilities upkeep. The community farm is being operated and managed by an LGU-led economic enterprise. Target partner beneficiaries are the rice farmers in Taraka.
To sustain the community livelihood, MinDA partnered with Central Mindanao University (CMU) for the New Hope Program, which is envisioned to assist impoverished post-conflict communities by providing learning opportunities and agri-business options to harness productive and self-sufficient entrepreneurs. A total of P1M was downloaded to CMU in support of the New Harmonizing Opportunities for People Empowerment (HOPE) which fund will be utilized for the various chicken breeds and the setting-up of a research cum training and production center.
the threats of the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the need to recover from the adverse impact of the pandemic, the Mindanao Policy Forum conducted last September, in partnership with the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the Ateneo de Davao University, revolved around the theme Bouncing Back in the New Normal thru Countryside Development and Agricultural Resilience where innovation in the agriculture sector in sustaining the country’s food production amidst the pandemic and the importance of boosting the sector’s resilience to natural hazards and other forms risks. Policymakers, educators, government workers, and students alike valued the policy studies on the pandemic’s impact on the economy and the food/ agriculture sector.
POLICY RESEARCHES AND POSITION
PAPERS. Fifteen (15) policy research, fact sheets, and position papers were produced to advance understanding and support to Mindanao development advocacies.
The studies and position papers were endorsed to the MinDA Board, partners in Congress, and committees to aid in evidence-based policyoptions, policy formulation and decision-making.
CREATION OF A MINDANAO RIVER
BASIN AUTHORITY. Parallel to creating a Mindanao River Basin (MRB) Authority, MinDA put forward a recommendation to create a Mindanao River Basin Council, providing funds, therefore, via Executive Order, as the faster policy track. Once the MRB Authority law is passed, the Council will graduate into an Authority.
MINDANAO BUDGET STUDY.
MinDA is recommending a fair share of the budget for Mindanao, especially for infrastructure projects. This continuing advocacy aims to provide information and rally support to all Mindanao legislators to secure an increased budget for the island-regions.
The budget increase advocacy of MinDA primarily focused on the prioritization of sustainable infrastructure development that fully supports development of industries, Small and Medium Enterprises, ecotourism, and other projects that contribute more to poverty alleviation. MinDA contends that public investment in infrastructure, economic growth, and ultimately, poverty reduction come in coherence in ushering sustainable development.
15
policy researches, fact sheets, and positions papers produced by MinDA in support of Mindanao development advocacies
30 YEAR NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
PROGRAM ACT. This is a proposal from the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) that seeks to enshrine a long-term national framework in law supporting the government’s Ambisyon Natin 2040 vision.
MinDA supports the passage of the 30 Year National Infrastructure Act, and further proposes, among others, that catalytic Mindanao infrastructure projects, as enumerated in the Mindanao Investment Program, be included in the plan, and that the Mindanao planning process, as defined by RA9996, be integrated into the national infrastructure planning process. The CIAP appreciated MinDA’s recommendations.
COMMITTEE ON MINDANAO AFFAIRS FACT
SHEET. MinDA’s inputs were considered in the updating of the Committee on Mindanao Affairs Fact Sheet, which contains Mindanao facts and figures, as well as priority legislative measures for Mindanao.
UNIFORM MINIMUM WAGE. This policy study
provides evidence of the possible detrimental effect of the labor demand and supply scenario in Mindanao on the proposed uniform minimum wage rate across the country for the BP2 Program.
TAX EXEMPTION FOR BALIK PROBINSYA BAGONG PAGASA PROGRAM INVESTORS
Possible arrangements for tax and other financial incentives that would attract investments to locate in BP2 sites in Mindanao.
SITUS OF TAX. This is a policy study on the issue that corporations and other businesses whose principal offices are located in Mindanao is not remitting taxes to Mindanao, but rather, Metro Manila, where their central offices are located.
The study proposes an amendment to Section 150 of the Local Government Code (Situs of the Tax) and the issuance of a Local Finance Circular by the DoF prescribing the situs of tax for mining.
MINDANAO’S DEPENDENCY ON RICE
IMPORTS. This assessment emanated at the start of the Covid-19 lockdowns. MinDA assessed the food imports that might be affected due to the declaration of some countries to suspend food exportation to ensure food sufficiency in their respective countries.
The study highlighted rice and was presented to the MinDA Board during its September meeting. The Board passed a resolution calling for the review of the Rice Tariffication Law.
Localization of SDG targets at the provincial and city level has been emphasized in the Philippine voluntary national review and captured in House Bill 7504, which seeks to create the Philippine SDG Council.
PROPOSED EXTENSION OF BARMM
INTERIM GOVERNMENT. Stakeholder interviews on the pros and cons of the proposed extension of the BARMM interim government.
AMENDMENT OF EO 467. The MinDA Board
passed a resolution that endorses, among others, the amendment of EO 467 to allow broader access to satellite internet.
RAPID ASSESSMENT OF COVID 19 ON FOOD VALUE CHAINS
FAO, in collaboration with MinDA, spearheaded a rapid assessment of the impact of Covid-19 on food supply chains in the Philippines.
The study’s general objective is to gauge the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on domestic food security and other thematic areas in the Philippines, including Mindanao. The said study was presented to the MinDA Board and Mindanao Policy Forum.
BP2 INSTITUTIONALIZATION. The Balik
Probinsya Bagong Pag-Asa -Mindanao Program’s overall goal is to drive inclusive and balanced rural and urban development to ensure rural prosperity and attain resilient and sustainable communities.
The Program is institutionalized by Executive Order 114 as a pillar of balanced regional development, creating a council therefore and other purposes, and was signed by the President on May 6, 2020. The said EO also formalizes the creation of a Council, which shall oversee and coordinate program implementation and recommend policies requiring legislative action. The program document served as input to the implementing guidelines for the project.
MINDANAO SECURITY PLAN. The study aims
to determine and map out in detail the security concerns surrounding the unique characteristic of Mindanao’s susceptibility to man-made and natural disasters, including the threat of the pandemic.
Resource Mobilization
The Mindanao Development Authority provides guidance and technical assistance on identifying projects, conceptualization, and packaging for funding, particularly Mindanao-wide, interregional, regional with Mindanao-wide impact and inter-sectoral, in coordination with concerned agencies and institutions. Framework and Components of the Mindanao Water Supply Program
Potable Water Supply Solar-Powered Irrigation System Water Supply and Irrigation System Combo
MINDANAO PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME-RISE (MINPAD RISE).
The MinPAD-RISE Is a program supporting economic recovery and promoting agriculture sector resilience in Mindanao. The project is under the financing agreement between the Philippine Government and the European Union with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GiZ) and World Bank as fund managers.
The Program’s overall objective is to contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure, and inclusively developed Mindanao. The project is currently in its preimplementation phase.
The MinDA Water Supply Program is a technical and financial assistance package that aims to contribute to attaining peace, prosperity and poverty reduction in isolated and remote areas in Mindanao through the potable water supply, sanitation, and irrigation in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). The implementing guidelines were crafted to delineate each institution’s roles and responsibilities and outline the process of access to the Program. The MinDA Water Supply Program TWG was established as the technical arm of the Mindanao Water Supply Program. The functions of the TWG include crafting the guidelines, joint evaluation of proposals, recommend appropriate financing schemes, and facilitate activities to execute agreements with requesting LGUs, LGU-run water utilities, potable water service providers, and irrigation service providers.
TARAKA WATER SUPPLY. Under the MinDA
Water Supply Program, the MinDA provided assistance to the LGU of Taraka in crafting a PreFeasibility Study as a requirement for loan assistance to be provided by the DBP.
TALAKAG HYDRAULIC RAM PUMP
PROJECT. Also under the MinDA Water Supply Program, the agency supported the LGU of Talakag by providing technical and financial assistance for the purchase of hydraulic ram pump and conduct of related activities. MinDA provided assistance worth Php1.5M.
BALIK PROBINSYA BAGONG PAG-ASA
MINDANAO. The Program is institutionalized by Executive Order 114 as a pillar of balanced regional development, creating a council therefor and other purposes, and was signed by the President on May 6, 2020.
The said EO also formalizes the creation of a Council, which shall oversee and coordinate Program implementation and recommend policies requiring legislative action. The Program Document served as input to the implementing guidelines for the project. The Program is currently being implemented in Kalawit, Zamboanga del Note, Kauswagan, and Lanao del Norte.
MINDANAO RURAL ROADS AND BRIDGES
PROJECT (MRRBP). MinDA recommends and, whenever necessary, calls upon the appropriate agencies on physical assistance and the level of priority accorded to agricultural and infrastructure programs and projects. The project aims to improve access and connectivity of far-flung barangays/areas to processing centers and markets and enhance movement of goods and services from isolated barangays to economic and social services.
TARAKA GOAT MULTIPLIER PROJECT.
The Taraka Goat Multiplier Project is proposed to start-up the livelihood aid of MinDA. The agency, together with the local government unit of Taraka, Lanao del Sur, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), prepared livelihood packages for the municipality with the goal of improving quality of life and reduce poverty. Initially, MinDA supported the goat project by providing 22 goat heads to the Municipality. The project is currently being implemented.
MINDANAO INVENTORY OF ASSISTANCE
The resource book comprises information about possible funding windows classified by donors such as loan facilities, official development assistance, and special funds by national government agencies.
MINDC-JPP ROADS, BRIDGES, FLOOD
CONTROL PROJECTS. Supporting the MinDC is the Mindanao Development Corridors – Joint Planning and Programming (MinDC-JPP) which is convened to ensure integrated, coordinated, and rationalized planning and programming. The mechanism is composed of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central offices and Mindanao Regional Offices, Ministry of Public Works-BARMM, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Offices, and Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA)-BARMM. Php9.170 Billion was allocated in 2020.
CONSOLIDATED LIST OF ONGOING AND
COMPLETED STUDIES. The list was compiled to serve as input in our packaging of programs and projects for resource mobilization in support of post-COVID, Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa (BP2) Program, and other development initiatives.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FOR SULU
HOUSING. MinDA assisted the LGU of Jolo in the design of the master plan for the Jolo fire rehabilitation. The architectural design is completed and presented to LGU –Jolo.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO)-TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROGRAM (TCP) FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC ZONE
(AEZ) IN LANAO DEL SUR. The facilitation of
enabling instruments such as the Special Presidential Authority (SPA) and Project Agreement led to the project’s approval in 2020. MinDA also facilitated the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MinDA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of the BARMM. MOUMinDA-MAFAR -BARMM Signed.
VARIOUS PROJECTS CONFIRMED AS NEDA
BOARD MEMBER. As a member of the NEDA Board, MinDA confirmed via Ad Referendum the 36-month loan validity extension to enhance mass transit systems in Manila and the revised list of infrastructure projects.
DCWD RESULTS-BASED M&E. MinDA
facilitated the formulation of the Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), specifically the institution’s logical framework.
17 million PhP grant from the European Union for strengthening ODA coordination efforts. 30 clients assisted in accessing loans through MinDA’s ALALAI Program 3 automated teller machines established in Lanao del Sur. 2.1billion PhP grant funded by the EU for rural development initiatives in Mindanao
EU GRANTS. MinDA receives a grant of Php17Million from the European Union for the proposal on Achieving Aid & Development Effectiveness For Poverty Reduction In Mindanao, which is a project aimed to strengthen MinDA systems for Official Development Assistance (ODA) coordination and development for results.
3 ATMs were established in the province of Lanao del Sur, which will pave the way for the increased economic activities and financing opportunities in the province. With the ATM establishment, people in Mailing, Balabagan, and Malabang would no longer need to travel close to 100-kilometers to the nearest ATM or pay exorbitant fees of loan sharks for encashment of their checks.
INDUSTRIES (ALALAI). Thirty (30) clients were assisted in accessing business loans from government financial institutions thru the Assistance in Loan Access for Livelihood and Agriculture Industries (ALALAI) program. MinDA was able to help private individual’s access start-up capital and small businesses in their struggle to bounce back from the Covid pandemic by facilitating their loan applications with government financial institutions. Some Local Government Units (LGUs) who wanted to avail loans were also assisted. MinDA’s package of assistance includes referrals and the preparation of feasibility studies and business proposals. These small efforts are being appreciated by our clients, as evidenced by their positive email feedback to MinDA.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR INCLUSIVE AND RESILIENT RURAL DEVELOPMENT (PRD)
This is a program that will adopt a combined Industry Value Chain Approach and Integrated Area Development Approach. The IAD support package will also ensure alignment with and can be integrated into the Industry Value Chain Network for a collective and sustainable program impact on the socioeconomic conditions of smallholder farmers, fisherfolks, agricultural cooperatives, and agricultural enterprises in the poorest municipalities and provinces in Mindanao. The Program will be funded by the Php2.1 Billion grant under the MINPAD-RISE project, an EU Grant.
