COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) successfully conducted its 1st Special Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting on January 25, 2024, at the BEZA Office, Building 4, Lower Ground Mall of Alnor, this city.

 

BEZA Executive Director, Atty. Sukarno A. Abas, the BOD vice chairperson, presided over the meeting, representing Abuamri A. Taddik, the BOD chairperson and minister of the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT).

 

In his opening statement, ED Abas expressed his profound gratitude to the representatives of the members of the board who attended the meeting despite short notice. He further stated that despite the absence of Minister Taddik, a special board meeting was called to discuss urgent matters needing the immediate action of the BOD.

 

The meeting paved the way for the approval of the BEZA and Polloc Freeport and Ecozone (PFEZ) Annual Work and Financial Plan (AWFP) for 2024 that will be presented at the MTIT Year-End Performance Review and Assessment cum Annual Planning FY 2024 in Marawi City on the last week of January 2024.

Further, Mohaliden M. Mohammad, Chief of Policy and Planning Division of BEZA presented the Master Development Plan of PFEZ that will help utilize the full potential of PFEZ to become a gateway and transshipment hub of the Bangsamoro region.

 

Meanwhile, the BOD adopted a total of five (5) resolutions, including the adoption and approval of the revised vision and mission of BEZA and the designation of the economic zone building official.

Other important matters discussed during the meeting include the project proposal for the PFEZ development plan and some issues and concerns involving the PFEZ.

 

Present during the meeting were representatives and alternate representatives of the members: Bangsamoro Director General, Pendatun Patarasa of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Director Melanie M. Indar of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), Director Eshan Karl O. Mabang of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), and Atty. Maymona T. Ampuan from MTIT, Atty. Datu Haris M. Pinguiaman of the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE). Also present were PFEZ Administrator Salipada B. Alongan, Deputy Administrator Mohammad B. Abdullah, and Chief Administrative Officer Simeon P. Binsuan; representatives from the MENRE Maguindanao Del Norte Provincial Office; and personnel and staff of BEZA.