S Korea to fund development projects in N. Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY -The Government of the Republic of South Korea, through its Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is set to pour in funds to help develop the urban-rural integration in North Cotabato, particularly in areas located at the foot of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak. Doo Jung Soo, Korean ambassador for international affairs of the Gangwon Provincial Government, said they are keen on funding the project through KOICA. This project has very significant impact because it has several sectors included in this project.And yes, KOICA is ready to provide cooperation with the Philippines.Philippines is very important partner of Korea,” said Doo. The project proposal, entitled, Development and economic activation project for the urban-rural integration in North Cotabato province,” was submitted in July by Kidapawan CityMayor Joseph Evangelista. According to Evangelista his proposalhas several components, which included eco-tourism development and income generation human settlement improvements health care sustainable agriculture and capacity building. On tourism, the Kidapawan-Magpet-Makilala (KMM) alliance, a new grouping of towns located at the foot of Mount Apo, has been established to strengthen its potentials. These areas are rich in scenic views, including spring falls, caves, boiling lakes, and other tourist destinations. For one, the famous and believed to be miraculous Lake Agko is located at Barangay Ilomavis, this city. On health, it consists of upgrading and provision of modern equipment and apparatus to several health stations in Kidapawan City. On agriculture, the project also includes the putting up of a processing plant for vegetables feed mills and rice mills. If these projects are carried out, we thought it will likely have important impact to this region,” Doo stressed after his breakfast meeting with Evangelista at AJ Hi-Time Hotel here on Wednesday. If granted, Doo said KOICA might pour in some US$5.9 million (P400 million) to help realize the project. On Thursday, Doo and Dr. Kim Yeong-hoon of the International Urban Training Center (IUTC), will meet with Cotabato Governor Lala Talinio-Mendoza to discuss the project proposal submitted by the Kidapawan LGU. We need to cooperate closely with the provincial government in order to make our proposal very realistic, feasible, and sustainable,” said Doo.