Japan Funds Peace And Development Training In Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 01 Jun) Japan is funding a P4.2-million seven-month peace and development training program for dozens of workers of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines.

Jesus Dureza, Presidential peace adviser, and Shozo Matsuura, Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), signed the agreement for the training program which will begin this month.

The BDA, put up jointly by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government in 2002, is tasked to oversee the rehabilitation, humanitarian and development projects in the conflict-affected areas in the southern region.

Manila is currently negotiating peace with the MILF in an effort to end more then three decades of bloody fighting in the south.

The training program will focus on the enhancement of the workers' skills and attitude towards community development, peace building and resolving conflicts, including training management.

Dureza said the program will enable BDA workers to manage community-based projects in conflict-affected areas once Manila and the MILF sign the peace deal.

"The program recognizes the crucial role of the BDA in facilitating the resolution of community disputes that could be prejudicial to the developmental activities being pursued," he said, adding, the training would be held either in Cotabato or Davao cities.