PIKIT, North Cotabato, (PNA) — While negotiations for peace between Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are ongoing, the Japanese government continues its support in over-all efforts to establish peace in communities through education.
The Japan-led International Children’s Action Network had built three-classroom building in a Muslim dominated community here to help bring children to school so they become productive citizens.
ICAN Foundation Country Director Ms. Yukiyo Nomura, ICAN Peace Building Program Coordinator Koji Matsuura, led local and international stakeholders in turning over the school building and the declaration of Schools of Peace in Pikit, North Cotabato.
The school of peace building was built in Datu Embak Mangansing Memorial High School in Barangay Nuangan and is generally under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) Project being implemented for the people of Mindanao.
ICAN implements “Peace Building Project through Education in Conflict-Affected Areas of Pikit, North Cotabato particularly the M7 Barangays namely: Tinutulan, Balabak, Gokotan, Nabundas, Balatikan, Balungis and Nunguan. All the seven communities will have one brand new and modern school buildings courtesy of Japan.
Among those who graced the momentous event were Japan Embassy’s Third Secretary Mr. Kentaro Yamane, International Monitoring Team Site 1 Leader Lt Col Ichairil, GPH ceasefire panel chair Brig. Gen. Cesar Dionisio Sedillo Jr, North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza, Pikit Mayor Muhyryn Casi, and representatives from Department of Education, Bangsamoro Development Agency, MILF, and MNLF, community leaders, school heads, parent-teachers officials, students and pupils.
Now on its second year, the three-year project is being funded by the Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICAN Partners in Japan.
It aims to improve infrastructure and quality of primary and secondary education for children affected by armed conflict and to establish peace at the grass-roots level in communities near the Pikit Maridagao river basin.
It has been implemented in partnership with the Department of Education (Region XII office and Cotabato Division office) and the Municipality of Pikit, which contributed precious support in many aspects of the project especially the children, teachers and PTCA of Datu Embak Mangansing Memorial High School, Balatikan Elementary School, Senior Malao Elementary School, Nunguan Elementary School, Ganasi Elementary School, and Balabak Elementary School as well as the Barangay officials in Balatikan, Nunguan and Balabak.