DAVAO – Second Secretary Takuhiro Watanabe attended the turnover ceremony last October 1, 2015 for “The Project for the Construction of Women Training Center” in the Municipality of Lupon, Davao Oriental. This is part of the Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
The ceremony was attended by Ms. Jobayra Tandalong, Executive Director of Bangsamoro Women Organization of Davao Oriental, Inc. (BAWORDO) and other members of the organization as well as Mr. Roy Lopez, Provincial Chairman of the Political Committee of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (POLCOM-MILF). It was also witnessed by officials from the Local Government Unit attended by Mayor Domingo Lim of the Municipality of Lupon and Mayor Adalia L. Tambuang of the Municipality of Banaybanay. Overall Datu Abdul Nasser Macarona, who represents the traditional leaders of the Muslim communities in the municipality, also attended the ceremony.
In FY 2013, under J-BIRD (※), the Embassy of Japan (EOJ) provided assistance to BAWORDO amounting to One Hundred Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty US Dollars (USD 108,932) or approximately Php4.57 million. The grant was used for the construction of a women’s training center and procurement of training equipment in order to meet the needs of the Muslim women in the area by acquiring skills training and earning money through the skills they have learned. The center can accommodate 50 participants per training session and will be a venue to conduct livelihood trainings for women such as dressmaking, soap and candle making, baking, food processing and other basic production courses. Through these trainings, poor and idle women in the area are expected to have jobs that will increase their income and improve their socio-economic status. 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 in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of present, 512 grassroots projects have been funded by GGP. (Eagle News Service/Embassy of Japan)
(※) Since 2006, Japan has been intensively implementing Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects and other ODA projects for conflict affected areas in Mindanao, collectively called J-BIRD (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development). 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 on J-BIRD II: A new phase of the J-BIRD that will focus more on ensuring economic autonomy in the Bangsamoro Area.)