MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 22, 2012) – The Philippines praised Tokyo for its support to the peace process and various humanitarian and development projects in the country, particularly in Mindanao.
“Japan has been our faithful companion in the peace process. They have stayed with us through the most trying times and with a readiness to wager in our ability as a people to find the peace that we really want and desire,” said Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles during the signing Thursday by Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe of 8 grant contracts under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) held at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) headquarters in Pasig City.
Urabe said advancing human security is key to peace and prosperity. “It is not the money. What is important is for individuals (in Mindanao) to achieve their full potentials,” he said.
He said promoting peace and development in Mindanao will contribute and benefit the whole Philippines, as well as other countries in Asia.
Deles said the projects are worth $824,653 (P34 million) funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.
The projects, which will be implemented in conflict-affected communities in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato and Maguindanao, include the construction of post-harvest facilities and agricultural training center; purchase of agricultural equipment; construction and repair of school buildings; installation of hospital equipment, among others.
J-BIRD was launched in December 2006 as Japan’s commitment to assist development in war-torn areas in Mindanao.
“Since then, the total amount of assistance of J-BIRD through the Japanese Official Development Assistance mechanism has reached P6 billion. This has touched the lives of Mindanaoans in concrete ways – access to water, roads, school buildings, health centers, shelter for the displaced, food for the hungry,” Deles said.
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