Japan extends P31-M grant for Mindanao dev’t projects

The Japanese government committed a P31-million grant to the Philippines yesterday to boost peace and development efforts in Mindanao.

The US government also promised to raise the development aid for strife-torn Mindanao once the Philippine government signs a peace deal with Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

US President George Bush gave the assurance when he accepted the credentials of the new Philippine Ambassador to the US, Willy Gaa, at the White House, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

In a joint statement issued after their bilateral meeting, President Arroyo and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reaffirmed their commitment to peace in Mindanao, citing its importance to stability in Southeast Asia and to the global war on terror.

Japan also launched the Japan-Bangsamoro Incentive for Reconstruction and Development or J-Bird, which will involve 12 projects.

Masafumi Nagaishi, Japan’s representative to the international monitoring team for the ceasefire between the Philippine government and the MILF, said J- Bird would "symbolize peace."

Eight of the 12 projects will involve the construction of elementary and high school buildings.

Two other projects will focus on the installation of a potable water supply system and the remaining two on the provision of agriculture or post-harvest facilities and equipment as well as the construction of livelihood training center, Nagaishi said.

Nagaishi, who is also the adviser for the construction and development of Mindanao, made a presentation of these projects before Mrs. Arroyo and Abe at Malacañang.

The Japanese government approved the projects and the memoranda of agreement for these were signed two days ago.

Nagaishi said the projects were designed to directly benefit Muslims in Mindanao at the grassroots level.

Abe announced that Japan would conduct a study early next year on the reconstruction and development of Mindanao.

Nagaishi said part of the study would be baseline survey and barangay profiling.

He said Abe wanted a comprehensive development plan and the implementation of quick-impact project for Mindanao.

Mrs. Arroyo thanked Japan for dispatching Nagaishi to supervise the reconstruction and development of Mindanao.

The US government, for its part, said it stands ready to give "quick disbursing assistance’’ once an agreement is signed with the MILF.

Manila is engaged in peace talks with the MILF, the main rebel group waging a three-decade campaign to seek an independent state for minority Muslims in the South. — Aurea Calica and AFP