Japan builds training center for Bangsamoro in Cotabato City
Director for Country Assistance Planning Division I of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Japan, Keiichi Hara and the Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Hiroyuki Uchida attended the turnover ceremony recently for the “Project for the Construction of a Training Center for Bangsamoro” in Cotabato City.
The project is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, the Vice Mayor of City Government of Cotabato, Hon. Hadji Abdullah Andang and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) Head of Mission, Major General Dato Sheikh Mousin Bin Sheikh Hassan.
In 2012, under J-BIRD, the Japanese embassy here provided assistance to the BDA amounting to $121,917 or approximately P4.75 million. The grant was used for the construction of a training center that can house various capabilty building trainings to at least 1,150 people every year. It also includes a 50-capacity dormitory and equipment for efficient and effective implementation of the training programs for the Bangsamoro.
Through this project, Japan hopes to contribute to the improvement of capacity of the Bangsamoro people to achieve a more peaceful and secured life. In addition, Japan believes that this project will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to further fostering a strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines towards the future.
As the country’s top ODA donor for the Philippines, Japan launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. At present, 512 grassroots projects have been implemented by GGP.
Since 2006, Japan has been intensively implementing Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects and other ODA projects for conflict affected areas in Mindanao, collectively called J-BIRD (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development). Their total amount is over 15 billion yen.
During President Aquino’s state visit to Japan last June, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, expressed at their summit meeting of his support for efforts by the Government of the Philippines to secure enduring peace in Mindanao, and stated that the Government of Japan will promote the J-BIRD II (Note), in view of the establishment of a new autonomous political entity.