BTA creation, a ‘milestone’ in Mindanao peace process: Japan

MANILA -- The Japanese government welcomed the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in Malacañang on Friday, citing it as an “important milestone” in the Mindanao peace process.

The BTA is the governing body established to supervise the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the new Bangsamoro government in 2022.

In a statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila relayed Tokyo’s commitment to “further enhance” its support to the region.

“Japan will continue to strengthen its support as the peace process progresses to ensure that the people of Mindanao can feel the benefit of peace,” it said.

Japan’s provision of a USD200-million loan for a

road network in Mindanao was formalized when the two nations signed an Exchange of Notes this month.

According to the Embassy, Tokyo is keen to extend further assistance to the agricultural sector and construction of water supply facilities in the Bangsamoro region.

Moreover, Japan will provide vehicles and other equipment worth about PHP160 million for the Joint Peace and Security Team and the Independent Decommissioning Body to support their normalization activities that include the decommissioning and disarmament of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“This package of new assistance is equivalent to the total amount of assistance that Japan has provided to Mindanao through J-BIRD (JapanBangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development) projects since 2006,” the Embassy said.