Japan hands over community assets in Bangsamoro
AS part of the project for enhancing food security and livelihood in Bangsamoro, the Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB) marks the transfer of community assets in a handover ceremony that took place in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, and Datu Mantil, Pigcawayan, Cotabato on February 21.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission Kenichi Matsuda, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Minister for Agriculture, Fishery and Agrarian Reform Mohammad Yacob, Minister for Public Works Eduard Guerra, Minister for Science and Technology Aida Silongan, Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat Province, Joint Normalization Committee Co-Chairs Akmad Brahmin and Ariel Hernandez, and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Philippines Deputy Representative Edwine Carrie.
The $2.3 million project co-implemented by the UNDP aims to address the recent supply crisis and price inflation. The project aims to ensure food security for sustaining the peacebuilding and recovery in the Bangsamoro region. Approximately 9,000 residents in 6 communities received food packs while 24,000 residents in 16 communities in and around BARMM are set to benefit from livelihood development support related to the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Recognizing the dire sufferings of the people in BARMM and the surrounding area imposed by decades of armed conflict fueled by issues such as historical land disputes, cultural and religious differences, and political grievances, Deputy Chief of Mission Matsuda stated that “as the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) approaches, and the 2025 Bangsamoro Parliament election in the horizon, we sincerely hope that this project will succeed and serve as an inspiration to the other communities in BARMM for greater economic stability and to further accelerate the Peace Process in the region.” Japan has been contributing to the Peace Process for more than two decades. To date, over $515 million in more than 100 projects have been undertaken under the JapanBangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-Bird). Japan remains committed to its support for the progress of the peace process and furthering development in Mindanao.