On March 5, in Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, Mr. ENDO Kazuya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Philippines, and Mr. Selvakumaran RAMACHANDRAN, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, signed and exchanged notes concerning the grant aid project for the Project for Promoting Human Security through the Community Economic Development and Livelihood Initiatives in Bangsamoro Region (grant provision of up to 454 million yen).
- In Mindanao, implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2014 is progressing, but at the same time, areas away from urban areas are still in a state of economic poverty, and in communities inhabited by internally displaced persons due to the long-running conflict, there are conflicts between old and new residents over ownership of land and resources. The communities are vulnerable to conflict.
- In response to these challenges, it is essential for Mindanao to improve the capacity of residents to establish a meeting body and resolve community problems through dialogue on their own initiative, in order to achieve sustainable peace in Mindanao.
- This project aims to improve the coordination of local government planning, improve the livelihoods of local residents, and promote reconciliation in Mindanao by engaging local residents in planning and conflict resolution related to local economic development in underdeveloped local governments, thereby contributing to equitable development and stabilization in the island.
(Reference) Basic Data on the Republic of the Philippines
The Republic of the Philippines has an area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (approximately 80% of the Japan’s area), a population of about 117.34 million people (2023, World Bank), and a gross national income (GNI) per capita is 4,230 USD (2023, World Bank).