Sunday, December 24, 2006 Mindanao Trust Fund now P200 million
THE first phase of the World Bank-administered Mindanao Trust Fund now has an operating fund of nearly P200 million following fresh contributions of one million euros (roughly P66 million) from the European Commission.
The Trust Fund's phase one was launched in March in Cotabato with initial funding of $2.7 million (P132 million).
Ambassador Jan de Kok, head of delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines, said their recent contribution to the Trust Fund was just a preliminary.
"The European Commission contribution of one million euros is a first step of its commitment to the multi-donor initiative for Mindanao, specifically focusing on confidence-building measures and reconstruction activities particularly in conflict-affected areas of the region under its Rapid Reaction Mechanism in Mindanao," he said.
"The Rapid Reaction Mechanism in Mindanao program was launched last month in Davao City. The European Commission support is in recognition of the continuing efforts of both the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to adhere to the ceasefire and to pursue a sustainable peace agreement," de Kok said.
The initial contribution to the Trust Fund is part of the 25 million euros pledge promised to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when the latter visited the European Commission recently.
The Mindanao Trust Fund -- broken into two phases -- was set up by the World Bank in July 2005 upon the request of the government.
It focuses on providing grant funding to conflict-affected areas, with the priority of establishing existing communities and resettling displaced persons.
Phase 1, which is prior to the signing of a final peace agreement and dubbed MTF-Reconstruction and Development Program, aims to provide capacity building to the implementing agency, which is the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).
It also includes pilot subprojects in several barangays and municipalities to be implemented by BDA with onsite coaches from a contracted service provider, as well as the organizational set-up for implementation of sub-projects under Phase 2.
The second phase will entail the implementation of the full program through disbursement of block grants to finance sub-projects in conflict-affected areas.
It includes the provision of technical assistance, the expansion of capacity building and a phased transfer of program management responsibility to the Bangsamoro entity to be confirmed after the peace signing. (BSS)
