- On 17 December, the Government of Japan and the United Nations (UN) decided to extend assistance totalling 2,563,395.30 US dollars (approximately 264 million yen) through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security to a project entitled "Inter-Agency Programme to Nurture Peace, Security and Decent Work through Local Development in Conflict Areas of the Philippines (Bondoc Peninsula)" in the Philippines, which is going to be implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
2. Development assistance to areas affected by the activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) remains limited and thus people in these areas are facing human security threats. The project aims to address the human security threats in Bondoc which is one of such areas by tackling poverty, underdevelopment, and conflict through a multi-faced and integrated approach. The activities will include the following:
-Enhancing livelihood assets of at least 3,500 people through providing necessary goods (ex. quality seeds, fertilizers and livestock) and technologies for agriculture and fishery;
-Improving access to better income opportunities for at least 2,500 people through alternative and non-agricultural production livelihood assistance including skills training and job-matching support;
-Empowering at least 2,000 people with entrepreneurial skills through conducting entrepreneurship development training;
-Promoting social protection schemes including community-based savings and community-based disaster risk management.
-Improving access of at least 2,000 women and children to maternal and child care services through improved programmes including the provision of basic tools and equipments and the construction of village-level health stations.
3. This project is expected to promote the human security of disadvantaged people in Bondoc Peninsula.