Saturday, September 29, 2007 JBIC: Oro is key to Minda progress
THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro voiced its optimism over the positive impression made by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) on the city's role as a major hub for development in Mindanao.
In a meeting with City Mayor Constantino Jaraula Friday morning, Hiroshi Togo, chief representative of JBIC in Manila, said JBIC sees the vast potential of Cagayan de Oro as a trading center not only in the region but the entire island of Mindanao.
The JBIC official said they are willing to support the logistical and infrastructure needs of the city's agricultural area to make Cagayan de Oro more effective in its role as the island's trading center.
"The development of Mindanao always starts with the development of Cagayan de Oro and we see this as a key to developing the backdoor areas of the island," Togo told Mayor Jaraula.
Just Friday, the Department of Agrarian Reform turned over to the City Government a P1.7 million rural water system II funded by the JBIC through the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) II benefiting some 220 households in Barangay Mambuaya.
JBIC also funded three other infrastructure projects in Barangay Mambuaya such as the P24 Million irrigation system, which has a City Government counterpart of P6.4 million; a P1.1 million post harvest facility with an LGU counterpart of P290,000; and a P13 Million farm-to-market road project.
For his part, Mayor Jaraula assured the JBIC officials that the City Government will extend its full cooperation if only to enhance the operations of JBIC not only in the city but elsewhere in Mindanao.
Jaraula welcomed the support extended by the JBIC to help along the development efforts in Cagayan de Oro and the entire island of Mindanao.
Also, the JBIC is now considering the request of the city mayor for the JBIC to donate such equipment as fire trucks, vacuum street sweepers and ambulances for the city's barangays. (CIO)
