The Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Science and Technology convened the 5th Bangsamoro Research and Development Council (BRDC) Meeting on April 30, 2024, in Cotabato City, BARMM, aiming to boost research and development (R&D) efforts in the region. About forty (40) BRDC members from various ministries and offices participated in the activity, held at the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) Office. Engr. Aida Silongan, MAPDS, Minister of MOST and Chair of BRDC, led the meeting along with Bangsamoro Director-General Engr. Abdulrakman Asim and Director II Nasrudin U. Buisan, DiSDS.
The meeting agenda included:
- Presentation of the Draft Harmonized BARMM Research and Development Agenda 2025-2030
- Updates on the Resolution: A Resolution Recommending the Establishment of the Ligawasan Marsh Research and Development Center (LMRDC)
- Updates on the Bill: An Act Strengthening Research and Development in BARMM and Appropriating Funds Thereof
- Presentation of the proposed BRDC Logo Design
- Presentation of the Call for Application for Academe, CSO, and Industry membership
- Presentation of the proposed Committee Composition
- Scientific Career System
- Proposed Inclusion of the Local Government Unit in the BRDC as Member
- Updates from MOST – Call for Proposals for 2025 Funding
The meeting aimed to push through the discussed resolutions and bills in the next steps, with forward-looking discussions. Additionally, approved agenda items and inputs for other initiatives were addressed, strengthening R&D efforts in the Bangsamoro region. The meeting also discussed plans for including local government units as members of the BRDC.
Furthermore, several concerns were raised and addressed collaboratively by the leading body. MOST also advocated R&D initiatives, including the Call for Proposals for 2025 funding and the draft of the Harmonized Bangsamoro R&D Agenda for 2025.
The BRDC, operationalizing BARMM’s Executive Order No. 04, series of 2021, serves as a central coordinating body for scientific and technological research across various ministries, agencies, and offices in the BARMM. Collaboration with regional science and technology-oriented organizations, including research institutions and academia, contributes to enhancing the region’s R&D competitiveness and fostering innovation.
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