PHOTO BY MPW-BARMM
The Japanese government on Wednesday turned over ₱536.9 million worth of heavy equipment to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Officials from the Japan Embassy, led by outgoing first secretary Asuka Ishizaka and incoming first secretary Makoto Imamura, led the handover ceremony.
The turnover was held at the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) Area Equipment Motorpool in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
MPW-BARMM Minister Eduard U. Guerra formally received the equipment on behalf of the regional government.
In a statement, the MPW said the package includes ten payloaders, ten excavators, and ten dump trucks.
The donation also covers three aquatic harvesters and 18 carrier trucks.
Six drilling machines, six mud pumps, and six high-pressure compressors were likewise turned over to the region.
The MPW expressed gratitude to Japan for its continued assistance to BARMM’s development programs.
Japanese officials said the support is part of Tokyo’s long-standing commitment to the peace process in the region.
They added that the equipment is intended to help strengthen public works and community infrastructure in BARMM.