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One of the trainings conducted at the BDA Training Center |
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With invited guests and staff of the BDA |
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On September 4, 2015, the Director for Country Assistance Planning Division I of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Japan, Mr. Keiichi Hara and the Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan (EOJ) in the Philippines, Mr. Hiroyuki Uchida attended the turnover ceremony for the “Project for the Construction of a Training Center for Bangsamoro” in Cotabato City. This is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, the Vice Mayor of City Government of Cotabato, Hon. Hadji Abdullah Andang and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) Head of Mission, Major General Dato Sheikh Mousin Bin Sheikh Hassan.
In FY 2012, under J-BIRD (※), the EOJ provided assistance to the BDA amounting to One Hundred Twenty One Thousand Nine Hundred Seventeen US Dollars (USD 121,917) or approximately Php 4.75 million pesos. The grant was used for the construction of a training center that can house various capabilty building trainings to at least 1,150 people every year. It also include a 50-capacity dormitory and equipment for efficient and effective implementation of the training programs for the Bangsamoro. Through this project, we hope to contribute to the improvement of capacity of the Bangsamoro people to achieve a more peaceful and secured life. In addition, 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.
The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. At present, 512 grassroots projects have been implemented by GGP.
(※)Since 2006, Japan has been intensively implementing Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects and other ODA projects for confict affected areas in Mindanao, collectively called J-BIRD (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Develpoment). Their total amount is over 15 billion yen. Furthermore, when President Aquino made a state visit to Japan last June, 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.
Japanese Version
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