Sunday, September 30, 2007 Mindanao businesses focus of new US financial grant
DEVELOPMENT assistance from the United States government would give more emphasis to the growth of Mindanao businesses in the next five years with a grant allocation of $190 million or roughly P9 billion, a ranking embassy official said over the weekend.
Paul Jones, US embassy deputy chief of mission, said while the United States government fully supports the peace process, American financial aid in the coming years will have more emphasis on business development.
"This is [$190 million] our new commitment that continues our many previous programs but with added emphasis on business opportunities and economic growth in Mindanao," Jones told reporters at the sidelines of the 16th Mindanao Business Conference here.
He revealed the fund would be utilized for the construction of small scale but important projects involving infrastructure, education and health that would bring economic development to Mindanao.
He said these projects, specifically the infrastructure, will help people in Mindanao find their products into major trading centers locally and abroad.
In this city, the US contributed to the construction of the airport, Makar Wharf and several major roads that were instrumental in the thriving of the local tuna industry. The US is a key market for tuna products from this city, dubbed "The Tuna Capital of the Philippines."
Jones noted the $190 million fund will not be directed to the peace overtures between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, since the United States is not directly involved in the process.
Malaysia has been brokering amity talks between both parties in the last four years but negotiations have been stalled since September last year due to disagreements with the ticklish ancestral domain agenda.
The government proposed that villages to be placed under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity must be subjected to a plebiscite, an offer rejected by the Moro rebels.
Jones urged both sides to finally arrive on an amicable political settlement so the island can enjoy full economic takeoff.
"We wish both sides well so that Mindanaoans can [finally] live in peace and prosperity," the American official said.
Years ago, US President George W. Bush committed a $30 million fund to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for Mindanao's development initiatives once both sides sign a final peace accord.
Jones said Bush's commitment is separate from the $190 million grant, the bulk of which will be used by the Growth with Equity (GEM) in Mindanao to pursue a third phase program.
GEM is a United States Agency for International Development-funded program helping conflict-affected areas following the signing of a final peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, the forerunner of the MILF.
Jones said that projects will be implemented in coordination with the national and local governments and non-government organizations to foster the spirit of partnership.
Virgilio Leyretana, chair of the Mindanao Economic Development Council, said the $190 million grant forms the funding for the Mindanao Peace and Development (MPAD) initiative.
He said the MPAD is a joint effort of the Philippine government and the United States which aims to develop the needed infrastructure, improve governance and social services as well as expand the economic opportunity in vulnerable and conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.
