JICA’s new President Sinichi Kitaoka committed to “do (their) best to support the peace process” as he made a courtesy visit to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) in Cotabato City on Tuesday evening (March 1).
JICA or Japan International Cooperation Agency is an agency of the government of Japan responsible for implementing Japan’s Official Development Asssitance (ODA).
“Definitely we are concerned of the slow process of the option of (passing) this basic law,” he said, adding that “I hope whoever will be elected to the presidency, he or she will definitely support this process.”
Kitaoka, Japan’s former ambassador to the United Nations (UN), assumed the position as JICA’s head last October.
He cited the importance for the parties in the peace negotiations to consider human security and to avoid the use of arms in resolving conflict.
“The international community has come to agree in the form of UN charter that no international dispute should be solved by power,” said Kitaoka. “This should also be applied to domestic issues,” he added.
He noted other conflicts taking place in some parts of the world. “We have to make another effort to implement the peace process here,” he urged. “By so doing, Japan and the Philippines can show that model of reconciliation,” he said.
Giving the JICA delegations a warm welcome, BTC Chair Mohagher Iqbal said that it is “an opportune time to renew commitments and discuss issues on mutual interest together with possible solutions as we face a new chapter of our journey towards peace in Mindanao.”
JICA has been engaged with the BTC in collaboration with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) in implementing the Quick Impact Projects (QIP) benefiting 20 Bangsamoro communities from different regions of Mindanao through the provision of multi-purpose halls, school buildings and warehouse with solar drier.
QIP is implemented through the Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro (CCDP-B) which is a confidence building program of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission Socio-Economic Office (BTC-SEO) and JICA.
“It is gratifying to note that the agenda of this visit by our friends from JICA covers a wide range of very helpful matters relating to the continuity of the projects and programs in support of the peace process,” Chairman Iqbal said.
The BTC head added also said that “although the extent of our engagement cannot be ascertained, we are still honored that JICA especially the current president continuously see the prospects of peace and development in the Bangsamoro even without the Bangsamoro Basic Law.”
Chairman Iqbal underscored the tremendous efforts and investment of funds for Mindanao from the Japanese government as the two parties preserve the gains of the peace process.
“We are also confident that all of this support will leave a multiplier effect in strengthening our cause and consolidating our people in the Bangsamoro in the pursuit of peace and the exercise of the right to self-determination,” he said.
In his message, BTC Commissioner Abdulla Camlian noted that JICA has been with the Bangsamoro since the inception of the negotiation.
“Throughout the long and arduous way, and with each and every milestone of the Bangsamoro, is also a ‘JICA story’ to tell,” he said.
Camlian cited JICA’s intervention -- the Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro – catered to wide-array of Bangsamoro people. He added that the QIP is already impacting the lives of the people in the community.
Camlian expressed gratitude to JICA for sharing moments with the Bangsamoro people and for keeping the hopes up.
Parts of the JICA delegation were Takumi Eushima, Yasushi Tanaka, Jin Wakabayashi, Atsushi Hanatashi, Noriaki Niwa, Yuko Tanaka, Maiko Morizane, Naoyuki Ochiae, Shu Nishimaru and Juro Chikaraishi.
BTC Commissioners Ibrahim Ali, Hussein Muñoz , and Said Sheikh joined Chairman Iqbal in welcoming the special guests.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/598-new-jica-president-commits-support-to-peace-process
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