March 7, 2015 marks the day of greater hope for school children in Kibleg Elementary School in Upi, Maguindanao as the construction of two-unit classroom is set through a groundbreaking ceremony graced by high level personalities from development organizations supporting the quick impact projects (QIP) currently implemented in twenty sites across the seven regions of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).

The project is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through its Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro (CCDP-B) with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

In the ceremony were JICA delegation headed by its Vice President Toshiyuki Kuroyanagi, BTC Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, BDA Executive Director Mohammad S. Yacob, Upi vice mayor, principal, teachers and pupils of Kibleg elementary school, and community members.

Director Yacob provided brief overview of the activity.

“This is indeed a very momentous occasion as this is the first groundbreaking ceremony for all the 20 sites of the QIP project”, Yacob stated.

In his message, Kuroyanagi expressed his delight of being in Mindanao again and the continuous support of JICA to the peace process.

Chairman Iqbal stressed the importance of this dividends of peace that the QIP project is wanting to achieve. He mentioned of the current situation now with the peace process especially the suspension of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) due to the recent Mamasapano encounter.

The QIPs aim to achieve the following objectives; a) to make the communities realize peace dividend swiftly and inclusively and b) to gain support and confidence on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and peace building process from the community.

BDA is tasked to undertake social preparation activities while the BTC through its Socio-Economic Office is in-charge for the over-all coordination of the implementation of QIPs.

Philkoei International Incorporated, a consultancy firm is also partnered to undertake the detailed design and construction supervision of the projects.

On March 2014, JICA and the MILF agreed that peace dividends should be realized swiftly and inclusively to create confidence and mutual trust among the stakeholders of the peace process following the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).