Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura (standing front center) poses with Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Annabelle Abaya after the grant contract signing of eight (8) projects under the Japan- Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) on March 22, 2010 held at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. (seated, L-R) Mr. Jamel Macaraya of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), International Monitoring Team (IMT) Head of Mission Major General Datuk Baharom Bin Hamzah, GRP Peace Panel Chairman Rafael Seguis, Embassy of Japan's Minister Hitoshi Ozawa, Minister Tomochika Uyama and Japan's IMT Senior Advisor for Reconstruction and Development Mr. Tomonori Kikuchi. Also in photo are the representatives of the grantee organizations. |
Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura sign ed eight (8) grant contracts for various social development projects in conflict affected areas in Mindanao. These projects are the fourth batch of assistance under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
J-BIRD was launched in 2006 to pursue Japan's commitment to the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Since the launching, Japan has already supported 32 grassroots projects in the total amount of 2.1 m illion US dollars or about 95 million pesos.
This new package of assistance amounting to 732,447 US dollars or about 33 million pesos will form part of Japan's commitment to support peace and development efforts in Mindanao. Th is package includes the construction of three (3) school buildings, two (2) training centers, a women's crisis center, a potable water supply system, and a rural health unit. (The outlines of the projects can be seen on the attached list.)
The signing of the grant contracts took place on March 22, 2010 at the Crown Plaza Hotel , Ortigas Center , Pasig City . The event was witnessed by major stakeholders in the Mindanao Peace Process such as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Annabelle Abaya; GRP Peace Panel Chairman Rafael Seguis; Major General Datuk Baharom Bin Hamzah, Head of Mission of the International Monitoring Team (IMT); and the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Board of Director, Mr. James Macaraya .
Earlier, Japan also decided to redeploy two development experts, Mr. Tomonori Kikuchi, First Secretary and Mr. Yusuke Mori, Second Secretary to the IMT, which resumed its operations last February 2010. Both experts are expected to contribute to the socio-economic development aspect of the IMT. Last December, Japan also decided to participate in the International Contact Group (ICG), which performs such roles as giving advice to the parties concerned on the Mindanao Peace Process and participating in peace talks as observers. As a member of ICG, Japan has been actively engaged in the peace process since then.
To support the process, Japan has implemented various assistance projects under J-BIRD as described in the attached document titled “J-BIRD.”
Speech of Ambassador Makoto Katsura
Japanese Version
List of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) under J-BIRD - FY 2009
