COTABATO CITY (November 20, 2023) – International development partners of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) vowed to support Peace Building through Strengthening Essential Services for Vulnerable Children and Adolescents in the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and del Norte and Cotabato City on a launching program conducted last November 16, 2023 held at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, BGC, Cotabato City.
Among the agencies who had committed their support for this program were Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and UNICEF.
Minister Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie of the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) during her speech in the event mentioned about USD 5.95 million or equivalent to 332 million pesos said that KOICA will fund the programme for health, nutrition, water sanitation, hygiene and education, child protection and local governance for 3years targeted to reach 282,000 individuals including 217,140 children under-5 years old.
It said that these progammes reflect the aim of the Korean Government to help the Philippines achieve inclusive and sustainable development.
“Supporting Peaceful Building efforts is a moral obligation for the well-being and future of the children. A peaceful community ensures that no child is left behind and that every child has the opportunity to pursue their goals in life, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said KOICA Philippines Country Director Kim Eunsub.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim said that a responsive and progressive Bangsamoro is one of the futures of our children at the fore. Promoting peace in our communities and building trust in one another will make our region stronger.
“Let us come together for one purpose, to ensure that children live insafety, have access to social services, and are provided with their needs,” Chief Minister Ebrahim says.
Children from poor families with disabilities from indigenous communities will be the focus of the programme in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte based on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that started last August 1, 2023 until January 31, 2027.
Carlos Vasquez, OIC Mindanao Field Office, UNICEF assured children, girls, boys, pregnant and lactating women are able to access health, nutrition, and wash services to promote healthy behaviors and practice, and counteract harmful practices. (Saima D. Angcog, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
