Japan allots JPY 454-M grant for development projects in BARMM

The Japanese government has allocated a JPY 454 million grant for the community development activities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to the Japan Embassy in Manila on Monday, the development projects will be implemented over the next three years.

Dubbed as “The Project for Promoting Human Security through the Community Economic Development and Livelihood Initiatives in Bangsamoro Region (CEDAR), the program will be enforced through the help of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya said the projects are expected to help bring development to the residents of the Bangsamoro region.

“Economic security means stability in BARMM. [Thus], this grant ensures that the Bangsamoro people receive support in ensuring [that] important development reaches communities,” Kazuya said in a press statement.

“The programs will benefit all sectors, particularly women, youth, and decommissioned combatants, so that their communities are transformed from being conflict-affected into competitive and productive ones,” he added.

Kazuya also underscored that the partnership with the UNDP would help guarantee that key community development efforts across the region are not “overlooked or unaddressed.”

During the ceremony, Kazuya exchanged notes with UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran.

 The ceremony was witnessed by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (PAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) Co–Chair Hon. Akmad “Toks” Brahim, and BARMM Minister for Interior and Local Government (BARMM – MILG) Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama – Alba. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ GMA Integrated News