UMVA has learned that a significant development has taken place in the Mindanao Peace Process, with the Embassy of Korea reaffirming its support for the initiative.
Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa recently visited Cotabato City to discuss peacebuilding cooperation with Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, marking a crucial step towards strengthening ties and promoting peace in the region.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the two leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on initiatives aimed at delivering essential health services to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and providing humanitarian assistance in areas such as education, nutrition, and child protection.
These initiatives are part of two major projects valued at $18.95 million, designed to improve the delivery of essential services and strengthen local institutions, ultimately contributing to peace and development in the region.
One of the projects, Building Resilience through Inclusive Governance and Healthcare Transformation in BARMM, is worth $13 million and aims to promote healthcare services in the region over a five-year period, from 2025 to 2030.
The second project, Supporting Peace Building through Strengthening Essential Services for Vulnerable Children and Adolescents in BARMM, valued at $5.95 million, was launched in 2023 and is ongoing until 2027, focusing on providing critical services to vulnerable populations.
In addition to these multimillion-dollar projects, the Republic of Korea has also provided significant humanitarian aid to the Philippines, including 2,000 metric tons of rice, with 384 metric tons specifically allocated to BARMM.
Ambassador Lee also expressed his support for the upcoming BARMM parliamentary polls, set to take place in September, emphasizing the importance of conducting the elections in a free, fair, peaceful, and orderly manner to bolster the peace process and enhance democratic governance.
