Metro Manila – The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines inked an agreement that will boost support for the normalization process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) by strengthening local governance, accelerating socio-economic development, and promoting social cohesion and conflict prevention.

A signing ceremony between His Excellency Ambassador Endo Kazuya of the Embassy of Japan and UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran took place in Manila to officially launch Project CEDAR, or the Project for Promoting Human Security through the Community Economic Development and Livelihood Initiatives in Bangsamoro Region in the Philippines. 

Through a USD 3 million (JPY 454,000,000) grant from the Government of Japan, Project CEDAR will run for 3 years and enable area-based development in BARMM communities, support livelihood initiatives to ensure human security, and enhance local capacities to implement community transformation for sustained peace. 

Japan’s support for Project CEDAR embodies its long-standing commitment to the Bangsamoro region’s peace and prosperity. H.E. Ambassador Endo Kazuya, in his remarks, noted that: “Under this project, stakeholders – particularly women, youth, and former combatants – will be provided with community economic development supports including trainings on the operation of enterprises, job creation, and agri-fishery productivity, as well as the provision of necessary livelihood equipment.”

The ceremony was witnessed by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., BARMM Minister of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) MP Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, and Joint Normalization Committee – Moro Islamic Liberation Front Co-Chair Minister Akmad Brahim.

UNDP’s Dr. Ramachandran hailed the project as a testament to Japan and UNDP’s commitment to peace in BARMM. He highlighted that “Project CEDAR is a fitting continuation of our longstanding partnership with the Government of Japan. It builds on the gains of previous initiatives and strengthens ongoing efforts to maintain stability and enduring peace in the BARMM. This generous financial support will contribute immensely to these initiatives.” 

The project is expected to accelerate the delivery of much-needed peace dividends in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities in the BARMM and its adjacent regions. Specifically, Project CEDAR will target 4 Moro Islamic Liberation Front and 4 Moro National Liberation Front communities, 2 non-Moro communities, and 2 Christian settler communities. Small-scale and quick-impact projects will boost area-based development, while community leaders and members will be upskilled to enhance their capacities in implementing social cohesion and transformation processes.

“Project CEDAR is crucial as it aims to expedite the delivery of much-needed socio-economic interventions in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities,” said OPAPRU Secretary Galvez, who delivered a message of support during the signing ceremony. 

Among key BARMM government agencies that will be involved in Project CEDAR is the MILG. Minister Atty. Dumama-Alba reiterated that “(they are) deeply committed to ensuring that local governance is at the forefront of peace and order, and sustainable development and progress. Through this project, we (will) strengthen the capacities of local government units in disaster risk management and response, foster community-driven climate adaptation strategies, and institutionalize long-term resilience policies across all levels of governance.”

Project CEDAR is a follow-up initiative to the previous programs of UNDP with the Government of Japan. In 2022, Japan and UNDP launched the Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration and Recovery for Advanced Human Security in BARMM (ASPIRE) project to promote decommissioning and facilitate the transition and integration of former combatants to productive civilian life. In 2023, the Enhancing Food Security and Livelihood in Bangsamoro (FSL) was implemented to improve access to food and livelihood toward supporting the recovery and transformation of communities affected by conflict in over 20 communities across BARMM and Mindanao, with two (2) barangays located within the Pigcawayan Cluster of the Special Geographic Area in BARMM. [E]