Embassy of Japan's First Secretary and Senior Advisor for Reconstruction and Development of Mindanao Mr. Tomonori Kikuchi (third from the left) with (from the left) Municipality of Banisilan Councilor Hon. Allan Falle, Department of Education Assistant Superintendent Mr. Ernesto Ariaga, Jr. and Head Teacher Mr. Sumakwel Salama unveiled the building marker for the Project for Construction and Repair of Classrooms at Salama Elementary School during the turnover ceremony of the newly constructed school building on November 18, 2009. |
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On November 18, 2009 Embassy of Japan's First Secretary and Senior Advisor for Reconstruction and Development of Mindanao Mr. Tomonori Kikuchi (2 nd from right) inaugurated the Project for Construction of Six-Classroom Building for Maitumaig Elementary School, which was funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD). Right photo shows (from the left) Maitumaig School Principal Mr. Namla Usman, Mindanao Tulong Bakwet Executive Director Ms. Fairudz Ebus, Bangsamoro Development Agency Executive Director Dr. Danda Juanday, Embassy of Japan's Mr. Kikuchi and Mr. Yusuke Mori, GRP-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (GRP-CCCH) Head Secretariat Major Carlos Sol, Jr. and Moro Islamic Liberation Front – CCCH Member Mr. Alex Mujahid pose for pictures with the student beneficiaries. |
Embassy of Japan's Mr. Tomonori Kikuchi and Mr. Yusuke Mori (first and second from the right) Advisors for Reconstruction and Development of Mindanao turned over the symbolic key to Dr. Remy Mier-Rivera, Department of Education Superintendent for North Cotabato and Mr. Tinto Pilas, School Principal during the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed five-classroom school building at the Olandang High School in the Municipality of Midsayap, North Cotabato on November 20, 2009. |
On November 18 and 20, Mr. Tomonori Kikuchi, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan (Senior Advisor for Reconstruction and Development of Mindanao), attended the turnover ceremon ies of three (3) school building projects. Mr. Yusuke Mori, Second Secretary (Advisor for Reconstruction and Development of Mindanao), also joined the ceremonies. Both Mr. Kikuchi and Mr. Mori are former members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) whose term was not extended after the formal peace negotiation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was suspended in the middle of 2008. If the IMT is reorganized, they are expected to join it again.
These projects consist ing of the construction of three (3) school buildings with a total of 15 classrooms and the repair of a two classroom building are funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
On November 18, two ceremonies were held at the Maitumaig Elementary School (construction of a six-classroom building amounting to 3.4 million pesos) in the Municipality of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, and the Salama Elementary School (construction of a four-classroom building and repair of a two-classroom building amounting to 3.4 million pesos) in the Municipality of Banisilan, North Cotabato. Moreover on November 20, a ceremony was held at the Olandang High School (construction of a five-classroom building amounting to 3.5 million pesos) in the Municipality of Midsayap, North Cotabato. The ceremonies were witnessed by major stakeholders, including representatives from the GRP and MILF Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities, Bangasmoro Development Agency (BDA), Region XII and ARMM Department s of Education and l ocal g overnment o fficials.
The newly constructed or repaired school buildings completed with students' tables and chairs will benefit more than 900 students by provid ing them with better learning environment . The projects are expected to contribute to the communit ies' efforts at providing better education for the children to become responsible citizens for further social development and also at realization of a lasting peace in the region.
The GGP was launched in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. Since then, more than 400 small-scale grassroots projects amounting to a total of 238 Million Yen (approximately 2.1 Million USD) have been implemented by NGOs, Local Government Units (LGU), and other non-profit organizations in the Philippines.
In addition, these projects have been implemented under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative s for Reconstruction and Development or J-BIRD. The Government of Japan launched J-BIRD in December 2006 as part of its commitment to support peace and development efforts in Mindanao. Since then, 32 projects, including construction and/or rehabilitation of school buildings, training centers, and water supply systems, have been implemented through the GGP in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.
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