COTABATO CITY — The Capacity Development Project for Bangsamoro (CDPB), a six-year collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Bangsamoro Government, officially concluded with the 10th and final Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting held at the office of the Interim Chief Minister on Tuesday.

The project aimed to enhance the skills and capacities of individuals and institutions across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), fostering sustainable economic and institutional development.

 

At the concluding meeting, project stakeholders highlighted the wide-ranging benefits experienced by farmers, entrepreneurs, and government personnel through various training and development programs over the past six years. 

These initiatives equipped participants with new skills, boosted their confidence, and created opportunities for growth within their communities.

 

Under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Approach helped farmers transition from subsistence farming to market-oriented agricultural production.

 

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT-BARMM) advanced entrepreneurship through Personal Initiative (PI) Training, encouraging participants to conduct market research, expand their businesses, and generate livelihood opportunities.

 

The project also supported institutional development. In early 2024, the Bangsamoro Local Government Academy (BLGA) under the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) began with only two staff members and limited resources—once described as starting with “a broken table and a broken chair.” Within a year, it grew into a functional institution providing capacity-building programs for local governments throughout BARMM.

 

Strengthening the civil service was another key focus, with the Development Academy of the Bangsamoro (DAB) drafting the Bangsamoro Competency Framework in partnership with 34 ministries, offices, and agencies. The framework now guides government personnel training and capacity development initiatives.

 

Partners noted that beyond technical skills, one of the project’s most significant achievements was fostering a mindset shift among participants—promoting proactive leadership, collaboration, and innovation in their sectors.

 

Although the CDPB has formally ended, JICA expressed confidence that its impact will endure through the continued commitment of partner institutions in BARMM.

 

The project extended its gratitude to the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), MILG, DAB, MAFAR, MTIT, and all other partners and participants who contributed to its success.

 

JICA also announced that the official JICA-CDPB Facebook page will be closed at the end of March 2026, following the project’s completion.