COTABATO CITY, NOV. 5 – The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Science and Technology convened today to present and discuss Updates on MOST Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs), specifically updates on Bangsamoro Harmonized Research and Development Agenda and other matters.
In the fourth committee meeting, out of 17 members of the Committee on Science and Technology, nine (9) were present to discuss the said agenda at Bangsamoro Parliament Lounge, Bangsamoro Government Center and via Zoom Teleconference.
Minister Aida Silongan, Member of the Parliament and Committee on Science and Technology Chair, called to order the following agenda: Updates on MOST PPAs, R & D Agenda, Committee Updates and Ways Forward, and other matters.
Nasrodin Buisan, MOST’s Bangsamoro Director-General, presented and discussed the Updates on MOST PPAs. He comprehensively provides updates on the four major programs of the ministry, the Research and Development, Science and Technology Services, Science Education, and Bangsamoro Halal Standards and Testing Laboratories (BHSTL).
Minister Silongan shared an update that the ministry will release the 2021 Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education (BASE) grantees – second batch list this November. She said that the ministry is still validating the 188 passers of the qualifying examination enrolled in science and technology courses before posting the final list of passers.
She also shared that her Office in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has allocated P6.4 M from the BTA’s Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) for Mujahideen Assistance for Science Education (MASE). It is a cash assistance offered for sons and daughters of mujahideens (Muslim fighters) who took science and technology courses at any college level. Anent this, she also acknowledged the recommendation of MP Musa Diamla to allocate more funds from TDIF for the scholarship/cash assistance programs of MOST and create a resolution for that endeavor.
Moreover, the committee highlighted the discussion on updates regarding the BARMM Research and Development Agenda, where Minister Silongan reiterated the funding support from other members of the Parliament/Ministries/Offices for budget allocation in the BARMM R & D Agenda. One percent from each ministry’s budget may be allocated to allow for the implementation of PPAs for the R & D agenda of each ministry/office.
Minister Silongan also invited the Members of the Parliament to witness the launching of the BARMM Harmonized R & D Agenda in the upcoming MOST’s 1st Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) celebration on December 1-3, 2021.
“I am inviting my colleagues in the Bangsamoro Parliament to join us in the upcoming RSTW on December 1-3, 2021. We will launch the BARMM R & D Agenda and showcase other initiatives and programs of the ministry,” Silongan said.
Director-General Buisan also presented the program agenda/activities of the RSTW celebration and shared various activities that the ministry will showcase at the upcoming event.
The Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Minister Aida M. Silongan under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), exercises jurisdiction on all matters relating to science and technology, including scientific and technological research, development and advancement, and climate and weather forecasting.
AOM-IO