Sunday, March 04, 2007 Japan, RP sign pact to usher peace
JAPAN and the Philippines signed an agreement last Friday to formalize Tokyo's commitment to draw up a comprehensive development plan in the troubled southern Philippines, reeling from almost four decades of Muslim separatist insurgency.
The agreement outlines Japan's initiative to conduct an "urgent" assessment of people's needs and the implementation of "quick-impact" projects in conflict areas on Mindanao Island.
It is aimed at bolstering the stalled peace talks between the government and the Muslim rebels.
The agreement was signed by Silvestre Afable Jr., Philippine presidential adviser on the peace process, and Kenji Maekawa, head of a mission of the Japan International Cooperation Agency or Jica.
Japan will earmark about $3 million for the two-year study phase that will be concluded in charting a "Socio-Economic Development Plan."
"This is part of Japan's firm commitment to engage more actively in the Mindanao peace process and play a leading role in the social and economic development of affected areas in the region," said Eiichi Oshima, deputy head of the Jica mission.
