Cotabato City-Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura turned-over yesterday, August 25, 2009, a 5-classroom school-building, fully furnished with tables and chairs worth 8,848,917 Japanese Yen (US $78,309) to the Bai Hanina Sinsuat National High School in Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS), Province of Maguindanao.

The project funded through the Embassy of Japan’s Grant Assistance for the Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) and implemented by the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) will benefit 210 high school students in the community composed of 80% indigenous peoples (IPs) and 20% Muslims and Christians.

The Japanese government had launched J-BIRD in December of 2006 as part of its commitment to support peace and development efforts in Mindanao. The program has been providing assistance in construction and rehabilitation of school-buildings, training centers and water supply systems through the GGP program.

Ambassador Katsura was joined by DOS Municipal Mayor Datu Ombra Q. Sinsuat, Sr., who donated the 500 sq. meter lot used for the building, in the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon and unveiling of the building marker. Also present during the event are Japanese embassy officials, Bai Alibai Benito Aliuden, Al-Haj, Maguindanao Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Datu Ibrahim B. Gulan, the school’s founding principal, DSWD-ARMM officials and staff, and the school’s students and their parents.