ODA GUIDELINES PARA SA BARRM DEV’T APRUB SA DOF

INAPRUBAHAN ng Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB) ang guidelines sa official development assistance (ODA) loans para sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) upang suportahan ang inclusive development, ayon sa Department of Finance (DOF).

Ang IFPB, na ang co-chaired ay sina Finance Secretary Ralph Recto at Bangsamoro Government Minister of Finance, Budget and Management Ubaida Pacasem, ay nilikha sa ilalim Bangsamoro Organic Law upang harapin ang revenue imbalances at fluctuations sa regional financial needs at revenue-raising capacity sa BARMM.

Nilagdaan ang IFPB guidelines sa ODA loans sa tanggapan ng DOF sa Maynila matapos silang aprubahan ng parehong partido sa ikapitong IFPB Meeting.

“The ODA guidelines authorize the Bangsamoro government to contract loans, in cash or in kind, from governments of foreign countries, their agencies, and instrumentalities or multilateral institutions or organizations,” ayon sa DOF.

Sa ilalim ng guidelines, maaring mag-loan ang Bangsamoro government upang tustusan ang investment, social, at economic development projects para sa kapakanan ng mga mamamayan sa Bangsamoro, sa kondisyon na ang ODAs ay maari lamang gamitin skung walang ibang financial instruments sa capital market at na dapat itong maglaman ng grant element na 25 porsiyento.

Gayunpaman, hindi maaring gamiting ang ODA funds sa telephone programs, mga proyektong inaatas ng batas na hawakan ng pribadogn sektor o pondohan ang mga pribadong korporasyon na may access sa commercial credit.

“With these ODA guidelines, we are equipping the BARMM with the tools needed to shape its future and write its own success story. This unlocks limitless opportunities for the BARMM ––from infrastructure development to socioeconomic programs that create jobs, boost incomes, and lift communities out of poverty,” ani ni Recto sa signing ceremony.

“Beyond financing, this will provide the BARMM with access to knowledge, technology transfers, capacity-building, and a wealth of experience from experts and development partners around the world.”

Optimistiko si Recto na sa pagkakaroon ng guidance, magagawa ng gobyerno ng Bangsamoro na gamitin ang pagkakataon, epektibong magamit ang concessional ODAs, at at pamahalaan ang mga pakikipagsosyo nang may lubos na pag-iingat at pag-iintindi sa kinabukasan.

Samantala, welcome naman kay Pacasem ang paglagda sa guidelines.

“For us in BARMM, this is more than just a tick on our to-do list, but a step-board on the ladder toward BARMM’s fiscal sustainability, toward the achievement of the Bangsamoro Development Plan, toward the advancement of the welfare of the people in BARMM, and toward our contribution to the achievement of our country’s sustainable development goals,” aniya.