A team from the Policy Development and Coordination Division (PDCD) of the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, extensively researched  several books relating to the Ministry’s mandates at the National Library of the Philippines, Kalaw Ave., Ermita, Manila on September 16, 2022.

Led by Aleyah B. Pundogar, Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer (HHRO) I, on behalf of Abdulhamid C. Alawi Jr., PDCD Chief, the team aimed to gather information on the processes and steps from Authors, Publishers and Printing Houses on book publishing, specific to the crafting and public release of policy papers.

Assisting HHRO Pundogar throughout the research were Administrative Assistant I Lainiesah M. Umbaya and Communications Assistants (Comm Asst.) Zainab S. Noor and April Joyce S. Angas.

Comm Asst. Noor identified some of the books researched, which included “A Proposed Comprehensive Policy on Land Use Conversion” by Rhodora Gay R. Poliquit, and “People Power: Community Participation in the Planning and Implementation of Human Settlements” by Mary Racelis Hollnsteiner.

The day prior, the same team attended the opening of the Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center Manila, Philippines, where they toured a comprehensive collection of books, magazines, comics, educational aids and allied materials that showcased more than hundreds of Exhibitors in their Publishing Booth.

Ayesha Uy Abubakar, Author of the Peacebuilding and Sustainable Human Development: The Pursuit of the Bangsamoro Right to Self-Determination, hoped that the BARMM’s visit would showcase the region’s peacefulness to redefine the reputation of generational conflict.

The Book Fair was a collaboration with Knowledge Management Partners, Networks with Publishers and Printing Houses, and organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc.