About ARMM HCDP

The ARMM Human Capacity Development Project is a technical cooperation project launched by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in May 2008 with IC Net Limited as the service provider.

Before the implementation of the project, JICA executed “ARMM Human Resource Development Project” from December 2004 to March 2007.  In the Project, ARMM senior executives and middle management officials (about 440) received professional training at Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and they   have advanced their overall administrative capacity.  At the end, both Japanese and Philippines authorities confirmed significant achievement of the Project, such as enhancement of knowledge and technologies on public administration and regional development, and learning of scientific methodologies on administrative planning and management. JICA regarded this project as Phase I.

Recognizing these achievements, the Government of the Philippines (GOP) made a request in May 2006 to the Government of Japan (GOJ) for a new technical cooperation project, which aims at further strengthening of administrative capacity of middle management and operating core of the Government of ARMM.  In response to this request, Government of Japan committed to implement a new technical cooperation project in ARMM.

The first concrete step for the implementation was the Preliminary evaluation Survey, which was executed in September 2007 and then ARMM and JICA mutually agreed on the basic design of a new project. Minutes of Meeting was signed between Atty. Mustapha A. Sambolawan, JICA focal person and Project Manager of ARMM Social Fund Project and Ms. Harumi Kitabayashi, Deputy Resident Representative of JICA Philippines in October 31, 2007. To formalize the agreement between the two governments, Record of Discussions (R/D) was signed by both Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan, Regional Governor of ARMM and Mr. Norio Matsuda, Resident Representative of JICA Philippines, on March 5, 2008. The title of the new project is “ARMM Human Capacity Development Project”. JICA regarded this new project as Phase II.

In reference to the successful completion of the previous “ARMM Human Resource Development Project” of Phase I, the purpose of this Phase II project is defined to improve technical and administrative capability of the middle management and operating core in the areas of economic and infrastructure development of ARMM. In addition, a continuity activity from the previous project, preparation of “ARMM Administrative Code”, and development of human resource information system (HRIS), are also included as the subjects of the new JICA project. Thus, the Phase II project is designed to consolidate the foundation of administrative capacity of the Government of ARMM.

Furthermore, Government of Japan has been committed in the peace process and development in the Mindanao Region, where it has launched the   “Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD)” program. This Phase II project will be also implemented as a way to make ARMM officials capable counter-part officials for the J-BIRD program by Government of Japan.

The ARMM mid-term plan intends to promote social infrastructure development such as construction of school building, health post and water supply facilities at community level. It also supports industrial development in the ARMM and strengthening of the economic interdependence with other regions. Based on this targeting, the plan emphasize local industry development which include Halal industry promotion, and infrastructure development which are prerequisites for economic development. Through these means and ways, the plan aims to contribute to overall development of Mindanao.

This Phase II project is also expected to produce synergy effects by interrelating each other with these regional development plans and programs of ARMM government.