P1-B fresh fund set for EU, Germany-supported Mindanao peace, economic program听听
A P1-billion peace program backed by the European Union (EU) and German government was launched last week, targeting to benefit marginalized sectors, including smallholder farmers and fisherfolk in Mindanao. 听
The four-year project, called听SPADe听or听Strengthening the Implementation of Regional and Local Peace and Development Agendas in Mindanao, will support plans set out by the peace and economic councils across six regions.听听听
鈥淪pecial attention will be given to vulnerable and marginalized groups such as smallholder farmers and fisher folk, indigenous peoples, internally displaced people, women, and youth,鈥澨齛ccording to a statement released Friday by听the European External Action Service, the EU鈥檚 diplomatic service.听听听
EU Ambassador Luc V茅ron听said the project听鈥渋s consistent with our EU vision, which calls for an integrated approach to conflicts, supports state and societal resilience, addresses extreme poverty, inequality and chronic fragility.鈥澨
鈥淏uilding on our past and current engagements鈥μ齜y investing in improved social cohesion and resilience of communities and by creating economic opportunities, we will contribute to peace,鈥澨齅r. V茅ron said during the launch ceremony.听听听听听听
SPADe is part of the听Mindanao Peace and Development Programme (MinPAD RISE),听intended to contribute to inclusive economic growth in the country鈥檚 southern area.听
MinPAD RISE initially received a听鈧35.5听grant, or about P2 billion, in June 2020.听听听
The SPADe program will be implemented by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government, with support from German development agency听GIZ GmbH.听听
鈥淕ermany remains committed to contributing to the comprehensive efforts of the peace-building process in Mindanao by providing substantial funding and experts,鈥 German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel said.听听听
Undersecretary听Janet听M.听Lopoz,听executive director of听MinDA听which is also the implementing agency of MinPAD RISE, said it is important to complement听鈥渢he听different initiatives鈥澨齬elating to peace and economic development.听听
SPADe听will focus on farm听and fishery value chain development and investment promotion, strengthening cooperatives听and small enterprises, promotion of good governance among local units,听natural听resources听management, and empowerment of vulnerable groups.听听
鈥淭o reach its socio-economic objectives, the project will promote climate-smart agricultural value chains and improve the services of agricultural cooperatives to their members,鈥澨齮he statement听said.听鈥斕齅arifi S. Jara听
