Japan, Philippines continue collaboration to promote peace process in Mindanao

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 6): Japan, Philippines continue collaboration to promote peace process in Mindanao  

The Philippines and Japan will continue to collaborate closely as strategic partners in promoting the peace process in Mindanao and in pushing major infrastructure projects to attain inclusive, long-term economic growth and development,

Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said.Secretary Coloma made the statement after Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Shinichi Kitaoka paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III at Malacañang Palace on Friday.

“He (Dr. Kitaoka) noted the significant progress achieved in crafting the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which has resulted in substantial peace dividends, such as the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD),” the Palace official said.

Coloma said the focal point of the J-BIRD is the five-year Harnessing Agribusiness Opportunities Through Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship Supportive of Peaceful Transformation (HARVEST) Project that provides funding and technical support to micro-, small- and medium-scale industries in agriculture, fisheries and related services.

“As of mid-2015, total assistance under J-BIRD reached P6.1 billion. Additionally, the World Bank and JICA have committed to provide up to US$250 million in loan funds to support the HARVEST Project. Total credit assistance is expected to exceed P11.1 billion and employment generation for about 21,700 individuals,” he said.

For his part, President Aquino expressed confidence that a Bangsamoro Basic Law may be enacted within the next two years to sustain the momentum of the peace process,

Coloma said.Kitaoka noted the tremendous progress attained in building multi-stakeholder support for peace in the Bangsamoro on the domestic and international fronts, he added.

Coloma said Kitaoka also signified the Japanese government’s support for the Philippines’ advocacy of upholding the rule of law in the settlement of international maritime disputes while commending President Aquino’s leading role in promoting a consensus among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in support of the primacy of the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the JICA official reiterated the agency’s support for major infrastructure projects in the Philippines, especially the North-South Railway Project North Line from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban,

Manila, which is the single biggest official development assistance yen loan package from Japan at US$2 billion.

Other major JICA-funded projects are the P7.1-billion Bohol international airport in Panglao that will be completed in December 2017 and the implementation of the roadmap for transport infrastructure development for Metro Manila and Regions III (Central Luzon) and IV-A (Calabarzon).

"Dr. Kitaoka conveyed the Japanese government’s continuing commitment to support the Philippines and reciprocate the country for its 'wonderful culture of reconciliation', that has brought the two countries closer together despite the events of World War II," Coloma said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141457172895/japan-philippines-continue-collaboration-to-promote-peace-process-in-mindanao-