Ateneo School of Government facilitates refinement workshop for the Bangsamoro International Development Assistance Handbook (BIDAH)

The Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), through its Executive Education Program, successfully facilitated the Bangsamoro International Development Assistance Handbook (BIDAH) Refinement Workshop from 25 to 26 February 2025, in Davao City. This initiative was conducted in partnership with The Asia Foundation (TAF) and with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines. The workshop forms part of ASOG’s ongoing technical assistance to strengthen the management of international assistance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The primary objective of the workshop was to systematically review, refine, and finalize the BIDAH document by addressing critical feedback from National Government Agencies (NGAs). The workshop was attended by members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), Ministry of Finance and Budget Management (MFBM), and Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office (BAGO). Representatives from TAF and the Australian Embassy also participated in the sessions.

The program opened with messages of support from distinguished guests, including Engr Kadil A Sulaik Jr, Director of the Research Development and Special Projects Bureau of BPDA, and Emmanuel Joseph Solis II, Senior Program Officer for the Political Section at the Australian Embassy in the Philippines. BPDA Chief of the ODA Coordination Division, Hasna Abubakar-Adam, provided an overview of the workshop, outlining key objectives and expected outputs.

Developed by the BPDA and its Official Development Assistance Technical Working Group (ODA TWG), the handbook is designed to document and streamline international development assistance processes, ensuring alignment with BARMM’s governance priorities and strategic objectives. Serving as the main facilitator, Ms Sharon Grace S Yabut, Head of the Executive Education Program at ASOG, drew from her almost a decade of experience with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to guide the participants in systematically reviewing the document and addressing feedback. Her expertise in governance and development assistance proved instrumental in helping participants refine the BIDAH to serve as a comprehensive coordination tool for international development assistance in BARMM.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in interactive discussions and breakout activities to ensure that recommendations were practical and reflective of BARMM’s unique context. The outcome of the workshop was an almost final draft of the BIDAH, incorporating comments and recommendations to strengthen coordination processes and improve the region’s management of ODA and non-ODA assistance.

The event concluded with inspiring messages from Ms Noraida Chio, Senior Program Officer of The Asia Foundation, and Atty Amirah Pendatun, Director of the Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management of BARMM. Certificates were presented to participants and facilitators in recognition of their contributions to advancing good governance in BARMM.

This refinement workshop marks a significant step forward in enhancing BARMM’s capacity to manage international assistance effectively, contributing to sustainable development and inclusive governance in the region.