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INT'l FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 
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Monday, 17 August 2026

EVENT TITLE: PLANADES Joins Ceremonial Launch of New Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC), Barangay Landasan, Parang, Maguindanao Del Norte.

Quezon City, Philippines, August 17, 2026. The Planning and Development Research Institute (PLANADES), Inc., represented by Executive Director Dr. Tabassam Raza and Project Team Leader Dr. Carmelita Liwag for the conduct of a Feasibility Study and Preparation of the Master Development Plan for the New Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC) in Parang, Maguindanao Del Norte. They participated as an institutional partner in the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Bangsamoro Government Center on August 13, 2026 at Barangay Landasan, Parang, Maguindanao.

PLANADES serves as the consulting partner for the feasibility study and the preparation of the Comprehensive Master Development Plan for the 214-hectare site under the IMPACT Program of the Office of the Chief Minister–Unified Program Management Office. The initiative, mandated by Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 37, will relocate the regional government’s seat from Cotabato City to Parang, establishing a permanent administrative capital for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Figure 1. PLANADES concept design developed for the new Bangsamoro Government Center (BCG) in Barangay Landasan, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.

The event highlighted the ceremonial handover of the Comprehensive Master Development Plan by Dr. Tabassam Raza, Executive Director and Project Director of PLANADES, to Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua. The occasion was witnessed by national and Bangsamoro leaders, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Yacob, Presidential Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento, and the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Hon. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino.

Figure 2. Dr. Tabassam Raza, Executive Director of PLANADES and PLANADES Project Director officially hand over the Comprehensive Master Development Plan to BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua. Behind them from left to right is Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Mohammad Yacob, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Mel Senen Sarmiento, and Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines Hon. Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony.

BARMM Interim Chief Minister Macacua hailed the project as a milestone in strengthening institutions, improving governance, and creating greater opportunities for the Bangsamoro people.

Figure 3. From L-R: BARMM Hon. Interim Chief Minister, Abdulraof A. Macacua, Municipal Mayor of Parang Maguindanao Del Norte, Hon. Cahar P. Ibay, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, Hon. Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, and Development Partner, Tan Sri Azmil Khalid

According to him, the project marks a meaningful new chapter for the Bangsamoro Government as it translates the gains of the peace process into stronger institutions and greater opportunities for the people.

“Today, we are laying more than the foundation of a new government center. We are laying the foundation for a stronger future for the Bangsamoro. And that future begins here,”

Furthermore, according to BARMM Interim Chief Minister Macacua, the construction of the center expects more investments and development opportunities to come in, including roads and transport facilities, utilities, communications, housing, businesses, and other infrastructure that will create jobs and livelihood opportunities for our people.

Additionally, Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik, the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, expressed his support to BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, stating that the “occasion carries special significance for Malaysia, reflecting the enduring friendship, mutual respect, and close relations between Malaysia and the Philippines, particularly Malaysia’s longstanding ties with the people of Bangsamoro.”

“For many years, Malaysia was deeply honored to walk alongside the brothers and sisters in Mindanao throughout the Bangsamoro peace process — an evolved one and always been guided by simple but important aspirations: to see a peaceful, stable, progressive and prosperous Bangsamoro,”.

PLANADES reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable, and evidence-based planning in the region, providing technical expertise in feasibility studies, master planning, and development consultancy to support peace, resilience, and progress.

On the other hand, Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik pledged and assured that Malaysia will help bring investments to the region, not only from Malaysia but also from other ASEAN countries.

Figure 4. From L-R: BARMM Unified PMO Executive Director, Tomanda D. Antok, Ph.D.; Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Yacob; Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, Mel Senen Sarmiento; BARMM Hon. Interim Chief Minister, Abdulraof A. Macacua; Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, Hon. Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony; Bangsamoro Wālī, Sheikh Muslim M. Guiamaden; Development Partner, Tan Sri Azmil Khalid; and Senior Minister Said Z. Salendab.

Some photos taken during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Figure 5. From center, left to right: PLANADES Project Team Leader Dr. Carmelita Rosario Eva U. Liwag, EnP., and Dr. Tabassam Raza, Executive Director of PLANADES and Project Director, being interviewed by BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua together with members of the media.

Figure 6. Center (standing in black suit): Dr. Tabassam Raza, Executive Director of PLANADES and PLANADES Project Director was acknowledged to come up the stage to officially hand over the Comprehensive Master Development Plan to BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua.

Figure 7. From L-R (front row, standing): PLANADES Project Team Leader Dr. Carmelita Liwag and Dr. Tabassam Raza, Executive Director of PLANADES and Project Director, shaking hands to signify partnership and collaboration.

Note:
For reference, Bangsamoro Government has also posted the groundbreaking ceremony through these link: Bangsamoro Government Facebook Page and Website link