Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — The Japanese government hopes to further promote the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through a 1.8 billion yen grant for the region’s socio-economic infrastructure.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) signed the grant agreement this week.
The grant would cover the urgent reconstruction of the Provincial/City Manpower and Development Center (PCMD) and other socio-economic infrastructure, such as the Regional Manpower Training Center in Sultan Kudarat and Basilan.
The funds aim to finance the improvement of farm-to-market roads in some conflict-affected barangays, JICA said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The signing of the Grant Agreement for the Programme for the Urgent Improvement of Socioeconomic Infrastructure in Bangsamoro will further strengthen the cooperation between our two governments,” NEDA Secretary Karl Chua said.
“Through the rebuilding and improvement of the techno-vocational training centers and the construction of farm-to-market roads, we expect more accessible economic opportunities as people are empowered through skills development and enrichment and improvement of market trade,” he said.
The Bangsamoro Infrastructure Needs Survey, conducted from December 2018 to February 2019 by JICA, had served as the basis for the potential socioeconomic infrastructure projects that the grant will support.
“Our projects aim to build back better society and generate high quality growth for the Bangsamoro people with the concept of sustainability, resilience and inclusiveness. We hope that this grant assistance project generates economic growth in the midst of changing times, which contributes to the stability and prosperity of the whole Philippines,” said JICA Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema.
