The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the housing arm of the BARMM, successfully held its 3rd Annual Policy Agenda Forum on October 29, 2024, in Pagana Kutawato, Cotabato City.

The event, organized by the Policy Development Coordination and Regulation Division (PDCRD) of the Ministry’s Technical and Regulatory Service, was part of the activities celebrating National Shelter Month this 2024, observed annually in October.

L. Arch. Jehanna M. Abdulkarim, PDCRD Chief, outlined the forum’s overall objective that is to strengthen housing and settlement policies for more developed and sustainable communities in the Bangsamoro.

The forum aimed to bring together key stakeholders, including shelter advocates, practitioners, and representatives from various organizations, to discuss and formulate policies that address critical housing needs in the region.

Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra expressed strong support for the forum, highlighting the importance of families as the foundation of communities. He emphasized that policy development plays a crucial role in finding solutions to societal issues, particularly those related to housing and shelter.

Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim underscored the importance of prioritizing policies that ensure strong, safe, affordable, and accessible housing projects. He recognized the need for collaborative efforts to address the diverse housing challenges faced by the Bangsamoro people.

The forum featured in-depth discussions on three key topics such as 4PH Program: Policy Formulation for Sustainable Affordable Housing Through Condo-Type Development, Human Settlements Profile in Ligawasan Marsh, and Living with Waters: Regulation of Water Settlements.

The resource persons who carefully discussed the topics were Vincent Uy Hambala, EnP, Project Development Officer IV and Alternate Regional 4PH Focal Person of DHSUD XII, Dr Nasrudin A. Buisan, EnP, Director II for Research and Development Services of MOST-BARMM, and Arch. Rashmien T. Camlian, RMP, Head Architect and Regional Consultant on Design and Construction of MHSD, respectively.

The forum brought together a diverse group of participants, including officials and representatives from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), University of the Philippines (UP)-Mindanao, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Cotabato State University (CSU), Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Tawi-Tawi, Provincial Development Office (PDO), Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Office for the Other Bangsamoro Communities (OOBC), National Housing Authority (NHA)-12,  Office of MP Susana Anayatin, provincial directors of MHSD-Maguindanao and SGA, and other MHSD staff.

The event concluded with a motivational message from Salem C. Demuna, Director for Operations and Management of MHSD, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and commitment to addressing housing challenges in the Bangsamoro.