DA-PRDP expands opportunities for more farmers and fisherfolk with the upcoming implementation of the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP).

The upcoming implementation of MIADP is expected to contribute to the development in Mindanao and build on the peace initiatives in the island group.

In line with this, DA-PRDP’s National Project Coordination Office and the Project Support Office Mindanao with the World Bank Task Team, together with MAFAR BARMM and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) conducted the workshop on “Enhancing Institutional Arrangement of IP Communities’ Engagement in BARMM” which will run from November 28-29, 2022 in Davao City.

In his speeach, MAFAR BARMM Minister Mohammad Yacob acknowledged the importance of expanding support to BARMM.

“All of us are dreaming for sustainable peace and development. It is time for all the sectors in the region to be in one track and one direction with the support of all the concerned line agencies to fix the peace and development in many areas here in BARMM.” said Minister Yacob.

The convergence of different line agencies involved in the planning and preparation plays an important role in moving forward and accomplishing the different targets and timelines of the Project.

According to World Bank Co-Task Team Leader Maria Theresa G. Quinones, MIADP is the very first project of the World Bank in the country that will cater to the Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups and the first project to cater specifically to the Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao.

MIADP will focus on IP communities, and geographically isolated Ancestral Domain to ensure that no one will be left behind when it comes to development.

One of its project objectives includes the Ancestral Domain Planning and Social Preparation wherein there is a need to first address the key areas of concerns in the identification of ancestral domain and IP communities issued with Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title.

PSO Mindanao Project Director Abel James I. Monteagudo thanked its partners for their continued support particularly to the World Bank and partners from MAFAR BARMM, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA), and Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE). He emphasized the importance of extended support to IP communities which reflects the goal of the Project to achieve sustainability, productivity, and resiliency in the field of agriculture.

“Good deeds never go unrewarded. For us, the reward for the good that we have done so far is the opportunity to do more,” said Dir. Monteagudo. “The success of this Project will come down to our successful collaboration and partnership with MIPA, MENRE, and MAFAR BARMM.”

As part of the levelling off activity, a series of presentations and discussions on the overview of the new programs and requirements under MIADP were conducted, as well as a presentation on the situationer of the Indigenous Cultural Communities in BARMM and salient features of the IP Code.

An interactive discussion among the participants led to clarifications on some of the gray areas in the documentary requirements.

Former NCIP Commissioner and Municipal Tribal Chieftain of Lantapan Bukidnon-Talaandig Datu Vic Saway talked about the “Native Title” which has been one of the sources of IP’s right to self determination and autonomy.

There were also presentations from the output of the day’s two workshops which focused on the firming up on the selection criteria and applicable requirements for the MIADP implementation in BARMM, and Complementation/ interfacing activities.

Present during the activity were the MAFAR BARMM team headed by Minister Mohammad Yacob and Deputy Project Director Ammal Solaiman; the MIPA team headed by Minister Melanio Ulama; MENRE represented by Dir. Eshan Kal Mabang; IP Leaders from the Tribal Council of Sulu Chairman Haji Taib Hajan; Tawi-tawi Provincial Coordinator Melham A. Ahang; Lanao del Sur Provincial Tribal Chieftain Phoebe Grace Villamor; World Bank Team headed by Task Team Leader Mio Takada with WB Co-task Team Leader Maria Theresa G. Quinones; National Project Coordination Office headed by Deputy Project Director Shandy M. Hubilla; and the PSO Mindanao team headed by Project Director Abel James I. Monteagudo and Deputy Project Director Noel T. Provido. (Joy M. Montecalv, PSO Min| Photos by Leonard Asuque, PSO Min)