The Japanese government, through the Japan Embassy in the Philippines, has signed a US$3 million agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to further promote human security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya led the ceremonial signing of The Project for Promoting Human Security through the Community Economic Development and Livelihood Initiatives in the Bangsamoro Region (Project CEDAR) alongside UNDP resident representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on 6 March.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Bangsamoro Minister of the Interior and Local Government Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba witnessed the signing.

According to Endo, Project CEDAR aims to “foster a robust mechanism conducive to harmonious economic development” in BARMM, particularly in areas still affected by insurgency.

“Through these shared interactions, we hope to promote a stronger sense of connectedness and belongingness,” he said in his keynote speech.

Under the agreement, the Japanese government will provide a grant of JPY 454 million (approximately US$3 million) for community development and capacity-building activities in the Bangsamoro region. The UNDP will implement the project over three years, focusing on sustainable livelihood programs and enhancing the capacities of decommissioned combatants, women, youth, and indigenous peoples.

The initiative will target conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities in BARMM and adjacent areas, particularly Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) communities inside and outside the region’s core territories.

While specific locations were not disclosed, the project is set to be implemented in four MILF communities outside the six acknowledged camps, four MNLF communities, two non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, and two Christian settler communities within BARMM.

Project CEDAR aims to accelerate socio-economic development, strengthen inclusive local governance, and promote social cohesion and conflict prevention in BARMM.