(As a) manifestation of its continuous support for peace and development in the Bangsamoro, the Japanese Government held a Grant Contract Signing at Al Nor Hotel in Cotabato City on March 14, 2016 for the P20M aid that will finance five social development projects in conflict affected areas of Mindanao.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Kazuhide Ishikawa, signed the grant contract with the representatives of five local organizations that will facilitate the implementation of
The financial aid was coursed through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Resource Security Projects (GGP) Implemented by the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines as part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD).
In his message, Ishikawa said, “As you recall, when President Aquino made a state visit to Japan last June, Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe, expressed at their summit meeting his support for efforts by the parties concerned to secure enduring peace in Mindanao.”
“I can assure you that Japan will continue to work hand-in-hand with all the stakeholders to support social and economic development in Mindanao through development assistance such as J-BIRD,” he said.
The Japanese envoy hoped the five projects will be steadily implemented and make substantial contributions for goal for peace and prosperity of Mindanao.
Expressing gratitude to the Japanese people, Commissioner Abdulla Camlian, representing the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), said, “Though the implementation of the peace agreement is halted due to the non-passage of the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) in the Philippine Congress, your coming here in our home, exemplifies more the value of our appreciation.”
“Moreover, what you personally came here for, your Excellency, is with the intention to further improve the condition of our people and society with a grant contract signing,” he said.
“We have a vision of a Bangsamoro that is peaceful and progressive, a society that can thrive, play a beneficial role in a global setting,” Camlian said and added, “And in the vision that we have, with an enduring partnership, we see you right next to us in making all these happen.”
Camlian cited the assistance of the Japanese government to other development projects in Mindanao and to the capacity building of the Bangsamoro people.
“The improvement in the lives, the relatively peaceful society, we are experiencing them. All these, made possible with the support and contribution of the Japanese Government has given us,” he pointed out.
The development intervention includes procurement of equipment and construction of post-harvest facilities for farmers in Ampatuan Maguindanao, provision of farm tractor for marginalized Bangsamoro farmers of Lanao del Norte and construction of classrooms for Al Azhaire Academy, Bayugan National High School and Kalbugan Elementary School.
The five grant recipient organizations were the Lower Riverside Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Lanao Intercultural Convergence for Development and Peace, Inc., Al-Amanah Humanitarian and Development Services, Inc., Philam Foundation and Mindanao Children’s Library Foundation, Inc.
Launched in December 2006, J-BIRD was designed to contribute to the peace process and development of the conflict affected areas of Mindanao. The project aims to the target communities to enjoy the “dividends of peace.”
As of March 2016, the total amount of assistance provided under the J-BIRD has reached approximately $20 million.
Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, Chair of the Bangsamoro Development Agency thanked the Japanese government for its solid commitment to peace and development of the Bangsamoro communities.
Government peace panel member Senen Bacani also graced the affair. He lauded Japan being one of the strongest supporters of the Bangsamoro peace process in the international stage.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/630-japan-provides-p20m-projects-for-peace-and-dev-t-in-mindanao
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