The Bangsamoro Research and Development Council slated its first meeting at Pagana Kutawato, Cotabato City. Ministers and representatives from different ministries and offices participated in the discussion last May 20, 2021. The activity aims to discuss the council’s R & D agenda priorities on its first implementation phase.
MOST Minister Aida Silongan, BRDC Chair called to order to discuss the following agenda: Identification of permanent alternative representative of Minister as member of the council; Identification of Technical Working Group permanent member and alternative; Funding support for the year 2022; Criteria for members of the council from State Universities, Colleges, and Business Industries, and Promulgation of appropriate rules and regulation for the effective implementation of the Executive Order 0004 series of 2021 (BARMM R & D Council).
On the first and second agendas, different suggestions were discussed, such as permanent personnel should be the alternate of the Minister and a memo/special order for the R & D alternate of the latter.
Minister Silongan suggested coordinating with the R & D council for the preparation of the budget. She also added that the Ministry of Science and Technology had proposed a 12 million budget for R & D during its Budget Planning Workshop last May 17-19, 2021, to cater the implementation of the R & D agenda in the BARMM region. She told funding a priority or urgent researches in BARMM next year.
The Development Academy of Bangsamoro’s President suggested submitting a priority research plan depending on the needs and programming of the ministry. He also said having a capacity-building on research and development and other initiatives to create a research culture in the BARMM region. He suggested that they can have funding support from the Chief Minister’s Office or the Ministry of Science and Technology. He believed that there are many funding sources in BARMM, but it goes first with policy development, conversation, and coordination with other organizations. He also suggested having strategic planning for the direction of this agenda.
MAFAR representative suggested having a memorandum order in supporting the R & D activities of the council. He also indicated that ministries might allocate a 5% budget for the R & D council.
Meanwhile, the MOH representative shared that many NGOs are willing to fund and support the R & D agenda of the council.
As for the criteria for members of the council from the academe and business industries, the 1st R & D Technical Working Group meeting will be conducted on June 2021 to discuss other matters and prepare the criteria.
There will be wide consultation meeting next month with other agencies, offices, state universities, and other stakeholders to discuss the council’s R & D agenda.
AOM-IO