GMA expects more foreign aid for Mindanao

DAVAO CITY — President Arroyo is expecting more foreign aid to pour into Mindanao after the World Bank-led international donor community held its bi-annual Consultative Group meeting here yesterday.

"I hope there would be more foreign aid that would come into Mindanao after this meeting. And eventually they would invest more in Mindanao," Mrs. Arroyo told mediamen after addressing the closing ceremonies of the Philippine Development Forum 2005 attended by over 230 representatives of various international funding agencies and donor countries.

The President said it was precisely the reason why the meeting of the multilateral donor group was held in Davao City so that they could see for themselves what Davao City and Mindanao can actually offer.

Included in the agenda of the donor community’s two-day meeting here was a special presentation on the social and development imperatives as well as peace efforts in Mindanao.

World Bank country director Joachim von Amsberg said development partners pledged to continue support for programs that promote social progress, investments and jobs in Mindanao.

"Of course, we are anxious to see further progress toward the conclusion of peace talks and more broadly, lasting peace and development in Mindanao," Von Amsberg said.

Among the biggest funding agencies with existing projects in Mindanao are the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Australian Aid (AUSAid) as well as the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Asian Development Bank and the Canadian International Development Agency.

At least 60 percent of the country’s Overseas Development Assistance reportedly goes into Mindanao.

Mindanao is also expected to benefit from more foreign aid once a final peace accord shall be forged with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Von Amsberg said it was ‘very fortunate’ that Davao City was chosen as venue for the international donor community’s meeting.

"Many of us have been able to see for ourselves that Mindanao has dynamic economic development despite the long-lasting social conflicts on the island. ," von Amsberg said.