World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi (2nd from left) and European Union (EU) Head of Delegation Ambassador Guy Ledoux (5th from left) sign the Contribution Agreement stating the additional € 8-million development assistance extended by the EU to peace efforts in Mindanao. The signing was held on November 11, 2013 at the headquarters of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in Pasig City. Pictured with them are (left to right) Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs, and Bangsamoro Development Agency Chair Dr. Saffrulah Dipatuan.
MANILA – The European Union (EU) on Monday signed a Contribution Agreement with the World Bank extending an additional € 8 million (P467 million) to boost development in conflict-affected communities in Mindanao.
EU Head of Delegation to the Philippines Guy Ledoux and World Bank Philippines Country Director Motoo Konishi signed the agreement which formalized the expansion of EU’s contribution. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles and Bangsamoro Development Agency Chair Dr. Saffrulah Dipatuan signed as witnesses in the ceremony held at the headquarters of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in Pasig City.
The additional funds will be downloaded to the Mindanao Trust Fund – Reconstruction and Development Programme (MTF-RDP), a multi-donor facility that aims “to improve social and economic recovery in conflict-affected communities of Mindanao through activities which promote confidence-building, peace and demand-driven governance.”
According to EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs in his statement during the signing ceremony, “the additional funds are a concrete manifestation of the EU’s long-time commitment for the Mindanao peace process both at the political level and through development assistance.”
Piebalgs also noted that this extended assistance, when added to past contributions to the MTF brings the EU’s total contribution to the trust fund to € 12 million (P695 million), thereby making the EU the MTF’s biggest donor.
He also commented on the progress of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) saying, “As the Philippines economy grows rapidly and the peace talks in Mindanao progress well, the EU continues to support the Philippine Government in the pursuit of inclusive peace and sustainable development in this important region of the country.”
Welcoming the support of the EU, Deles, extended her thanks. “We are thankful and look forward to a strengthened and sustained partnership that will make this Administration’s vision of a just and lasting peace for a progressive Mindanao a reality.”
Deles noted that the additional funds will be used to support the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, a joint development program of the government and the MILF as well as the Bangsamoro Development Planning. She said that the additional funds will support this phase of the GPH-MILF peace process.
“Both the GPH and the MILF have begun to work more earnestly together on matters directly related to development efforts, which shows the commitment of both sides to make sure that the benefits of the agreements forged on the negotiating table will be immediately felt by the communities on the ground,” said Deles.
In light of the recent tragedies that have battered the country, Deles reassured the EU of their positive contribution to the Philippines. “The Filipinos continue to be a hopeful and resilient people with you, the European Union and its member countries, as friends on our side,” she said.
For his part, Konishi also expressed his gratitude to the EU for their “timely contribution” to the MTF.
He acknowledged the Aquino administration’s efforts towards sustainable peace and development in Mindanao. “The World Bank is fully behind you in this process,” he stressed.
“With the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the courage and foresight of the government, the MILF and the donors to establish and support the BDA is now paying dividends,” he said in pointing out the government’s capacity to bring the development aspects of the peace process to the ground.
Dipatuan, on the same note, thanked the EU for their increased support. He stressed on the ways in which the MTF has helped increase their capacity in delivering development programs to conflict affected communities.
He said that the MTF has helped transform the BDA into “an experienced organization that possess the capability to engage in dialogue on development needs and priorities as we position ourselves towards the transition to the Bangsamoro.”
The BDA determines, leads and manages relief, rehabilitation and development projects in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.
Dipatuan reported that through the MTF program, the BDA was able to deliver 254 sub-projects benefitting over 320,000 people in 215 villages across 79 municipalities in Mindanao.
In closing, he also thanked OPAPP “for its serious commitment towards the conclusion of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the MILF, which we believe will finally bring a just and lasting peace, not only in the Bangsamoro, but in the whole of Mindanao and the entire country as well.”
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