Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura (seated, 4 th from left) shake hands with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary (OPAPP) Teresita “Ging” Quintos-Deles during the grant contract signing of Japan- Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) projects on March 25, 2011 at the Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The event was witnessed (seated L-R) by Senior Advisors for Reconstruction and Development and members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) Mr. Kei Fukunaga and Mr. Naoyuki Ochiai; Embassy of Japan Minister for Economic Affairs Akio Isomata; Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairwoman Lualhati Antonino, IMT Head of Mission Major General Dato Mahdi Bin Yusof; Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Executive Director Mohammad Shuaib Yacob; and OPAPP Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo. Also in the photo (standing) are the representatives of the recipient organizations.
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Since the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit the Northeastern part of Japan last March 11, many Filipino people have kindly extended their heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the people of Japan, especially to those affected by this calamity. The Embassy of Japan hereby expresses its sincere appreciation to these messages.
While struggling with the aftermath of the mentioned earthquake and tsunami, Japan continues to support the development of the conflict affected areas in Mindanao based on its policy shown in the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development, or J-BIRD. The 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).
Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura signed nine (9) grant contracts for various social development projects in conflict affected areas in Mindanao on March 25, 2011 at Astoria Plaza Hotel . These projects are the fifth batch of the assistance under the J-BIRD funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
This new package of assistance will form part of Japan's commitment to support peace and development efforts in Mindanao. Th is package includes the construction of five (5) school buildings, two (2) training centers, a floating school, and a post-harvest facility. For the outline of the projects, please refer to Annex I.
Since its launching, Japan has supported 50 grassroots projects in the total amount of 3. 8 m illion US dollars or about 217 m illion pesos. In addition to these grassroots projects, various other assistance projects have also been implemented under the J-BIRD as described in Annex II.
Ambassador Katsura stated in his speech that he had visited the sites of the projects implemented by GGP under the J-BIRD and had witnessed their effects by himself. He also stressed Japan's renewed commitment to its efforts to contribute to the improvement of people's livelihood in Mindanao through the J-BIRD.
In assistance for the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, Japan has also dispatched two socio-economic development experts. Recently, Japan has renewed its membership to the IMT by dispatching two (2) Senior Advisors for Reconstruction and Development, Mr. Naoyuki Ochiai and Mr. Kei Fukunaga. In addition, Japan is also a member of 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.
While Japan has no intention whatsoever to interfere the domestic affairs of Mindanao, Japan strongly supports the efforts by all parties concerned to end the long standing conflict in Mindanao through the peace process, and strongly hope s that peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF will come up with a negotiated and peaceful settlement to end the decades-long armed conflicts and to enable the people to enjoy the dividends of peace.
Japan, as the top donor of the official development assistance for the Philippines, launched G GP in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of March 2011, 452 grassroots projects funded by GGP – ranging from roughly 1 to 4 million pesos – have been implemented by NGOs, local government units and other non-profit organizations. The total grant for these projects so far amounts to US$ 20,854,769. Japan believes that the J-BIRD projects signed this time will not only strengthen friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to fostering a strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines towards the future.
Speech of Ambassador Makoto Katsura
Japanese Version
ANNEX I (List of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) under J-BIRD - Fiscal Year 2010)
ANNEX II (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development [J-BIRD])
