Japan, FAO, ILO team up for Bangsamoro water infra

MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese government has joined the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Labor Organization (ILO) for water infrastructure and agriculture training in the Bangsamoro region.

The FAO project, which amounts to $1.765 million, aims to help farmers and fishermen, women, indigenous peoples and former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) acquire various agricultural vocational expertise.

Officials said these new knowledge and skills will help them efficiently operate farms, gain employment or set up their own businesses. 

The support for farmers and fishermen in Mindanao from the Japanese government through agriculture-based livelihood and technical skills training will help enhance productivity, improve efficiency and increase their incomes.

The ILO intervention has a total budget of approximately $2.66 million. It envisions to develop water infrastructure that will benefit an estimated 11,814 households. At least 1,800 workers from the target communities will be employed to help build the water supply facilities.

The two projects will provide sustainable livelihood and build healthier communities, which are key milestones to achieving peace and development in Mindanao.

The two undertakings signed on Wednesday form part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development, or J-BIRD to empower people and communities to benefit from the dividends of peace.

Since 2006, Japan has provided a total of about P13 billion or $260 million worth of assistance to the Bangsamoro region.

“Mindanao, particularly its agriculture sector, is a major contributor to the Philippine economy given its vast natural resources,” FAO Representative in the Philippines José Luis Fernandez said.