Japan Supports Four (4) Projects for Peace and Development in Mindanao through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa will sign four (4) grant contracts with respective recipient organizations for various social development projects in conflict- affected areas in Mindanao on March 10, 2017 at the Embassy of Japan. These projects will be funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)^*1 implemented by the Embassy of Japan as part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD)^*2.

The signing ceremony will be attended by the Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Nabil A.Tan.

The new package of assistance, amounting to 355,427 US dollars (approximately 15 million pesos), will form part of Japan's commitment to peace and development efforts in Mindanao. This includes 2 projects in education, 1 project in health and another project in agriculture. These projects are part of the J-BIRD, the Japanese government's package of assistance in support of peace and development in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. Since the launch of J-BIRD in 2006, Japan has supported 92 grant assistances including the above-mentioned projects with a total amount of 8.27 million US dollars through GGP under J-BIRD.

1. The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Del Pilar Elementary School in New Corella, Davao Del Norte
2. The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Tictapul Elementary School in Vitali District, Zamboanga City
3. The Project for the Provision of One Unit Mobile Clinic for Zamboanga City Medical Center
4. The Project for the Acquisition of One (1) Unit of Container Wing Van for Small Rice Farmers in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur

Note*1: The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of present, 521 grassroots projects have been funded by GGP. 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.

Note*2: 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 240 million US Dollar. Furthermore, when former President Aquino made a state visit to Japan last June 2015, Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe, expressed at their summit meeting 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.
(Note: A new phase of the J-BIRD that will focus more on ensuring economic autonomy in the Bangsamoro Area).