Tuesday, March 31, 2009 [ manilatimes.net ]
In line with the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) project, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura on Monday signed nine grant contracts amounting to $600, 000 that will be directed to various economic cooperation projects in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.
In an interview during simple ceremony at the OPAPP office in Ortigas, Ambassador Katsura said that the new assistance package amounting to about P31 million will form part of Japan’s commitment to support peace and development efforts in the Mindanao region.
The ambassador added that the assistance would include the construction of five school buildings, an educational center, a rural health unit, and a potable water supply and an irrigation system.
“Since the launching of J-BIRD in 2006, Japan has already funded 23 projects under Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) amounting to $1.3 million,” said Katsura, who signed the third batch of assistance from Japan.
“These projects exemplify Japan’s active role in the reconstruction and development of Mindanao,” he added.
Also present during the signing were OPAPP Secretary Avelino Razon, GRP Peace Panel Chairman Rafael Seguis, Dr. Danda Jaunday of the Bangsamoro Development Agency, and Japanese development expert Yusuke Mori.
Meanwhile, Razon stressed that the projects only showed that the Japanese government strongly supports the efforts by the government and other parties concerned to end the long standing conflict in Mindanao though the peace process.
“The Arroyo-administration and the Japanese government strongly support the peace process in Mindanao and hope that peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will resume immediately,” Razon said.-James Konstantin Galvez
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