Thursday, July 15, 2004 227 Mindanao pro-peace, dev't projects up for ODA support
A TOTAL of 227 proposed programs and projects deemed as viable investments for Mindanao peace and development are currently being pushing for funding under the Official Development Assistance (ODA).
The Mindanao Investment Program (MIP), consisting of priority programs and projects, which the Philippine government hopes to implement between 2004-2006, was presented to the technical representatives of various donor agencies during a meeting in Davao City recently.
According to Jesus Dureza, presidential assistant for Mindanao and Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) chair said, the MIP underscores the need to further enhance assistance to Mindanao, which currently lags behind the rest of the country in terms of development.
"The main thrust of the Arroyo government for Mindanao is anchored on laying the strong foundations for sustainable peace and development, and we are pleased to see the MIP moving along this direction," Dureza stressed.
Jointly organized by MEDCo and the Japanese Embassy, the meeting drew together representatives from at least 30 donor agencies, to review and comment on the results of the Mindanao investment programming process, in preparation for its final presentation before a high-level donors meeting later this year.
The MIP programs and projects, which are also geared toward poverty alleviation and socio-economic improvement, were generated from a series of multi-stakeholder regional consultations and write shops, and validation with national line agencies.
Proposed projects
The infrastructure sector topped the MIP with 80 proposed projects, followed by the social sector with 52 projects. Economic sector, meanwhile, has 45 projects, development administration sector with 34, and Information and Communications Technology sector with 16 projects.
Among the proposed Mindanao-wide projects in the MIP include the assessment of the Mindanao 2000 Development Framework Plan, Poverty Mapping Project, Mindanao Cancer Center, as well as Construction and Rehabilitation of Levels I and II water systems in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Caraga regions.
The MIP proposals also cover research and study of Madrasahs, formulation of an indigenous people's curriculum, Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaign for the rights-based approach to development, integrated management and protection for Cagayan de Oro watershed project, and modernization of our police, firefighting and prison facilities.
Kyo Naka, deputy resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), noted the importance of the MIP because it has particualrly drawn the needs of the people in Mindanao.
"I expect that this will be supported by policies from the government and the people from the different regions," Naka said, adding that, "with this investment programming activity, UNDP commits to continue working for Mindanao's development." MEDCo
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