On January 28, 2025, Ambassador Endo Kazuya attended the handover ceremony for “The Project for Promoting Digital Birth Registration of Populations at Risk of Statelessness in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” in Davao City. The ceremony featured key attendees, including Director Hasim Guiamil from the Ministry of Social Services and Development of BARMM and UNHCR Philippines Head Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo.
The Japanese Government provided a grant of JPY 858 million (approximately US$ 5.5 million) to enhance birth registration for the Sama Bajaus, unregistered children affected by armed conflict, and former combatants and their families in BARMM. The project, implemented by UNHCR over 30 months, aims to benefit 130,000 unregistered individuals and indirectly impact 800,000 more over the next decade.
Ambassador Endo expressed hope that “this project will be a success and prove to be instrumental in the attainment of an enduring peace and prosperity that will cascade over the generations to come.” The initiative will target 50 communities across Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi until December 2026.
The introduction of computer servers is expected to enhance the efficiency of birth registration procedures in Municipal Civil Registrar offices. By providing birth documents to populations at risk of statelessness, the project aims to improve access to government services, education, and employment opportunities.