JAPAN TURNS OVER ARMM FRIENDSHIP HALL AND TRAINING CENTER AND CLASSROOM BUILDING IN MINDANAO

 Ambassaor Toshinao Urabe will attend the turnover ceremony of the Japan – funded “Japan – ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) Friendship Hall and Training Center” in Cotabato City and “The Project for the Construction and Renovation of Classroom Building at Libungan Torreta Elementary and High School, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato” last August 19, 2011.

The Total cost of construction of “Japan – ARMM Friendship Hall and Training Center” amounted to 34.6 million pesos, of which Japan funded 28.8 million pesos through the 6^th Non – Project Grant Assistance of japan Counter – Value Fund (NPGA6 – CVF). 

The Japan – ARMM Friendship Hall and Training Center will serve as training center for the Human Resource Development Programs of ARMM’s regional line agencies and adjacent administrative regions. The building houses the ARMM Development Academy (ADA) in charge of promoting the region’s Human Resource Development Programs. In collaboration with ongoing Japan’s ODA projects, such as ARMM Human Capacity Development Project and the dispatch of Senior Advisor for Regional Development to ARMM, it is expected that the training center will also contribute to human resource development of the ARMM and other local government units.

“The Project for the Construction and Renovation of Classroom Building at Libungan Torreta Elementary and High School, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato” was funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) with a grant amounting to USD 181,124 (approximately 8.4 million pesos).

In 2008, the barangay Libungan – Torreta serves as a relocation site for Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) in the once conflict – affected Municipality of Pigcawayan in North Cotabato. The arrival of the IDPs resulted in the growth of the student population in the barangay necessitating the renovation of existing dilapidated classrooms and the construction of new classrooms. Under this project, existing three classrooms have been renovated and a new eight-classrrom building was built at the Libungan – torreta Elemntary School, and a new four-classroom building was built at the Libungan – Torreta High School. The renovations and constructions were made possible by the Muslim Youth Regions Organization, Inc. (MYROi), a local Non – Government Organization, that sought assistance from the Embassy of Japan with the purpose of providing an environment conducive to learning to the students in the barangay.

Japan, as the top donor of the Philippines, has been implementing since 2006 the “Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development” or “J-BIRD” designed to contribute to the peace process and development in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. The training center and the classroom buildings are part of the J-BIRD projects. Japan believes that these projects will not only strengthen friendship between Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to further fostering a strategic partnership between the two countries toward the future. Japan will continue to support the Philippine Government’s initiative to reduce poverty and improve its economy.