Cotabato City – The three-day activity STRAT PLAN for the development of the structural framework of the Ministry of Science and Technology conducted.  It was held last April 22-24, 2019 at EM Manor Hotel together with other agencies and state universities in the BARMM region. The said activity had set overall goals, priorities, and plan for the ministry.

The first-day event was led by Engr. Aida M. Silongan, minister of MOST-BARMM through its message. The minister has emphasized the goal of the activity which is to come up with the most comprehensive organizational structure, goals, and plan for the ministry. With the powerhouse, considering the presence of academe and other agencies, she enjoined the participation of everyone requesting to leave behind personal issues and political affiliations. Also, Ms. Hayria Candao, a representative from the United Nation Development Program has also conveyed her message of support for the ministry.

During the preliminaries, the general guidelines for the activity were initiated. The structure should be reflective of the mandates of the ministry based on the provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The functions and responsibilities should be attuned to the mandates. The functions and its objectives should address the needs of the region as far as its mandates are concerned.

The activity strategized the creation of the organizational structure of the ministry. During the workshop, the participants were grouped into four, the Planning Management, Administration and Finance, Operation/Technical and Provincial to create a new structure for each division. The structure made of each group will be consolidated to make an organizational structure for the ministry. Also, the duties and responsibilities of each position in the organizational structure made by four groups were also provided.

On the second day of the event, participants enumerated the programs and services that correspond to the functions and mandates previously identified while giving consideration to the powers devolved in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Metacards were also used by the participants to put into writing all the needed programs and services but had it sorted out in the plenary. It made all the identified data into four major flagship programs and services inclusive of the national DOST programs and services to wit; scholarship, grants, and awards; science education; technology, services, and promotions, and research and development services. The above became the four major division in the operation of the ministry.

Additionally, the organizational structure and programs and services of the ministry were finalized and reviewed well since the said documents will be approved by the Technical Working Group of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

The strengthening of the organizational structure through strategic planning is deemed crucial with the change of leadership in the BARMM region.