On 10 June 2024, the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) Program of Cotabato State University (CSU) spearheaded and facilitated an Experiential Learning Activity (ELA), which aimed at engaging with key officials of both private and public offices to discuss their respective major programs, projects, and services being implemented that benefit the general public. The activity was held at the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) Conference Room, Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City.

       The activity, comprised of five components, provided an avenue for the students to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the program development and implementation processes, along with the best practices of each concerned government office and agency.

       The first session focused on the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Landscape in the BARMM. Mr. Leobelo Jofel A. Delicana, Emergency Operations Division Chief of the Bangsamoro READi, was the resource speaker and tackled the region's current DRRM structure and mechanism. He also discussed the pivotal role of the Bangsamoro READi as the lead agency in the field of DRRM in the BARMM field, along with its key programs and services vis-à-vis major accomplishments.

       The next session centered on the role of the Ayudang Medikal ng Bangsamoro Government (AMBAG) Program, a flagship program under the Office of the Chief Minister, in the region. The resource persons graced the activity were AMBAG Program’s Planning Officer-Designate Jul Gadzier Manjoorsa M. Mabang and Program Evaluation Officer I Al-Jaysser A. Abas. During the discussion, they tackled the type of medical assistance comprising the AMBAG Program, the corresponding implementing guidelines, and the target beneficiaries. They also highlighted the program's accomplishments, reaching over 150,000 beneficiaries as of May 2024.

       Subsequently, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) graced the third session of the ELA. Ms. Ghalia S. Darping, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer, and Ms. RoslainieA. Mamalaguia, the SDF Program Officer, discussed the key programs and services being implemented by their Ministry through the Special Development Fund (SDF), which targets farmers and fisherfolks in conflict-affected areas in the region, focusing on former combatants. The resource speakers also highlighted their program implementation framework and strategies, which ultimately aimed to enhance the socio-economic status of the targeted beneficiaries.

       The fourth activity session focused on the interventions under Project TuGoN of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG). Mr. Tohammi M. Abas, Local Government Operations Officer VI, discussed the legal basis and framework of Project TuGoN and the target beneficiaries who are former members of Local Terrorist Groups (LTGs) in the region. According to Mr. Abas, the program's overall goal is to ensure the smooth transition and reintegration of the beneficiaries to their respective communities through various interventions, including values transformation and socio-economic packages.

       The last session of the ELA featured the Metro Cotabato Water District (MCWD), represented by their Department Manager, Ms. Jocelyn A. Plazos. She tackled the primary mandate and current organizational structure of the MCWD. The resource speaker also tackled their agency's facilities and current reach in terms of water distribution within Cotabato City and the neighboring municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Sultan Kudarat. She further highlighted the challenges and mitigation measures the MCWD is adopting to ensure continued service delivery to consumers.

       After the event, Dr. Saidamin P. Bagolong thanked all the resource speakers and the organizers for making the activity possible. He also reiterated the importance of conducting the ELA as it entails the actual application and further appreciation of the course. Moreover, Dr. Bagolong emphasized that as future public administrators, it is vital for MPA students to fully understand the key concepts of program development and administration and how they are being put into practice. //MIS Office