Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura will sign nine grant contracts valued at US$ 1,022,553 (about P44 million) in assistance to peace and development projects in
Mindanao.
The recipients of the package are the Bangsamoro Leadership Management Institute (BLMI), Sultan Mohammad Dipatuan Kudarat Islamic Academy (SKIA) Foundation Inc., Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), Municipal Government of Datu Paglas, Municipal Government of Mabini, Municipal Government of Kauswagan, Pananag Elementary School, Bual ARBA Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Mindanao Children’s Library Foundation Inc.
The fund will be used to construct five school buildings, two training centers, a floating school and a post-harvest facility.
The Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the grants form part of Japan’s support of the peace process through the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) program. [PNA]
Among those attending the ceremonies are Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles of OPAPP, Chairman Luwalhati Antonino of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA); Maj. Gen. Dato Mahdi Bin Yusof, head of Mission of the International Monitoring Team (IMT); Executive Director Mohammad Shuaib Yacob of the
Bangsamoro Development Agency, and Chief Representative Norio Matsuda of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
