World Bank resumes funding for ARMM projects—regional exec

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—The World Bank has resumed funding peace and development projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, a regional official said Thursday.

“After a much-needed assessment and evaluation, the WB decided to continue its funding assistance,” said Nasser Sinarimbo, manager of the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP).

The WB suspended release of a $30-million soft loan to the ARMM for poverty alleviation projects in Maguindanao following the 2009 massacre of 57 people in that province. The WB said at the time that its decision was prompted by the law and order situation in the area.

“Recently, though, the WB gave the go-signal for the resumption of the projects,” Sinarimbo said.

He said at least 143 projects in Maguindanao, costing some P215 million, could resume following the WB decision.

“We are just glad that the WB hold order has been lifted last week,” Sinarimbo said.

Meanwhile, Sinarimbo said, poverty alleviation projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Maguindanao have been extended to December 2012.

Like the WB-funded program, the JICA projects are being implemented by the ASFP.

Sinarimbo said since 2002, the ASFP has completed 2,411 community development assistance projects consisting of the construction of classrooms, multipurpose centers, post-harvest facilities and day-care centers all over the ARMM.