Social media seen to impact on BARMM development
By Arjay L. Balinbin
Reporter
TECHNOLOGY and innovation as part of the development strategy in the newly-established Bangsamoro Autononomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will enable policymakers and citizens to participate in governance, Executive Director Benedicto R. Bacani of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) said.
In an e-mailed reply to questions on Saturday, Mr. Bacani said the number of social media users in the Bangsamoro region is “growing.”
“We saw that social media is an effective tool for raising capacities of policymakers and empowering citizens to participate in governance,” Mr. Bacani said, adding that the use of technology and innovation is “still low” in regional and local government units (LGUs).
IAG, along with the Policy Center of the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), launched last week the Access Bangsamoro, an online and social portal funded by the Australian government.
“The project will showcase how technology and innovation can be an essential tool in education and in bringing about accountability and good governance,” he said.
As a knowledge portal, the Access Bangsamoro enables the free flow of information, analyses, and discussions among citizens for the effective implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the successful transition to the BARMM.
The portal is designed to provide data and research-based policies and programs to help the BARMM realize prospects and address possible gaps and challenges during the three-year transition period.
Asked about the funding, Mr. Bacani said: “Initially, P6 million for one year which will fund the social media channels as well as studies, researches and conferences.”
In a press release e-mailed to BusinessWorld last Thursday, IAG said Australia has allocated about A$85 million for development assistance to the Philippines this year with 50% focused on Mindanao, specifically for education, infrastructure, governance and planning budget.
“During the transition period, the structures and processes to implement the Bangsamoro Organic Law and rebuild democratic institutions will be put in place. Access Bangsamoro will serve as a platform for education and discussion, help create sound and effective evidence-based public policy, and engage as wide a part of society as possible,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson was quoted as saying.
“A website, Facebook Page, Twitter page and YouTube channel comprise the Access Bangsamoro portal,” IAG said.
Visitors of the website, it also said, will be able to dig deeper into the three policy issues such as intergovernmental relations, parliamentary and electoral system, and public finance management and block grant.