DFA Hosts Renewal of
World Food Program’s “FARM-TO-SCHOOL MEALS” in BARMM
Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko and Mr. Giorgi Dolidze, Officer-in-Charge on behalf of Country Director of the World Food Programme in the Philippines, sign the Notes signifying the renewed support of Japan to the “Farm-to-School Meals” in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) at the DFA Headquarters on 30 January 2024. Witnessing the ceremonial signing are (from left to right): Ms. Hasna A. Adam, Chief of Official Development Assistance, Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority; Minister Mohammad Shuaib Yacob, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform-BARMM; Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity; Deputy Assistant Secretary Jesus Enrique G. Garcia II, Office of United Nations and International Organizations, Department of Foreign Affairs; and Atty. Mojahid S. Guro, Chief Legal Officer, Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education-BARMM.(DFA-OPCD photo by James Ryan Artiaga)
PASAY 05 February 2024 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hosted the Ceremonial Exchange of Notes between the Japanese Government and the World Food Programme (WFP) at the DFA Headquarters on 30 January 2024.
The Japanese Government donated US$ 5 million (PHP 281.064 million) to signify its renewed support to the “Farm-to-School Meals” in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to achieve food security and nutrition goals in the said region. The project will benefit local agriculture and livelihoods by integrating 5,000 farmers into school meals programs and providing 10,000 schoolchildren with daily nutritious meals.
“After all, children are said to be the hope of every nation, farmers are the backbone of economies, and families are the cornerstone of a robust society,” said H.E. Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines.
The recent addition of US$5 million from Japan elevates its total assistance to WFP Philippines to US$16 million since 2018. The ultimate aim is for the Philippines to independently operate and manage its school meals system, free from reliance on support from WFP and other nations.
"Together, let us shape a food-secure, healthy, and resilient future for the people of Bangsamoro and the Philippines.,” remarked Mr. Giorgi Dolidze, WFP-Philippines Country Director ad interim.
Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) extended his utmost gratitude to the Japanese Government and the WFP for their unwavering commitment and support to the Bangsamoro Peace Process, evident in their effective implementation of the different BARMM projects that are helping uplift socioeconomic conditions in the region. “Rest assured that the Marcos government, OPAPRU, along with different peace mechanisms under the Bangsamoro peace process, will continue working closely to ensure the greater synergy of peacebuilding and development efforts with the goal to attain our clear vision of bringing long-lasting peace, sustainable development to our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters,” asserted Secretary Galvez.
In closing, Mr. Jesus Enrique T. Garcia II, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of the United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO), affirmed that the “‘Farm-to-School Meals’ program is a concrete example of an evolved partnership, as envisioned in the 2024-2028 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Driven by the needs and more responsive to the context of the Philippines, the program complements and advances national development priorities,” particularly on human capital development and resilience building.
Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko signed the Notes with Mr. Giorgi Dolidze, Officer-in-Charge on behalf of Country Director of the World Food Programme in the Philippines, in the presence of Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and other representatives from the Philippine Government. END