HON. DATU OMBRA SINSUAT
Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat
PROFESSOR HAMID LADJAKAHAL
Director, Bureau of Secondary Education, ARMM Department of Education
MS. ALIBAI BENITO ALIUDIN, AL HADJ
ARMM Department of Education, Schools Division Superintendent
MR. MOHAMMAD ABUBAKAR
School Principal
Beloved Teachers and Students
Distinguished Guest
Ladies and gentlemen:
Assalam Alay Kum (Peace be with you)
First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your warm welcome. I have visited the Province of Maguindanao on several occasions, but this is my first time to visit this part of the province. I am very pleased to be here with you all and join this turnover ceremony.
When I heard that your school had only four makeshift classrooms used by about 210 students, I easily understood how difficult your situation had been. I can also imagine the challenges your school management had to go through in order to provide your students with the high quality education.
Now in the newly-constructed school buildings, I hope students will study harder and develop their potentials to the fullest in a better learning environment.
This project demonstrates Japan's firm commitment in supporting the reconstruction and development of Mindanao. I would like to inform you that we launched in December 2006 the J-BIRD, or Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development. Under these initiatives, the Japanese Government has funded various grassroots projects such as school building and water system development to support lives of people in conflict affected areas in Mindanao.
I am also pleased to inform you that Japan decided to extend 8,160 metric tons of rice amounting to approximately 9.5 Million US Dollars, through United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP). This rice assistance is the Government of Japan's emergency food aid to Internally Displaced Persons. The WFP staff members have started distributing the rice to the people in provinces suffering from natural disasters and continued battles.
In closing, I would like to thank all of you who worked for the successful implementation of this project to ensure the educational development of your students. I also hope that this school building project will contribute to achieving the long-term goal of peace and development in Mindanao.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines