The Embassy of Japan in Manila led the opening ceremony for the assistance for security, peace, integration and recovery for advancing human security in BARMM (Aspire) Project held in Isabela City, Basilan on October 5.

The Aspire project is funded by the government of Japan through a grant aid worth 579 million Japanese Yen and is being implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The project aims to establish a system for the management and reduction of privately-owned Small and Light Weapons (SALWs) and support the socio-economic development of the residents in target communities selected jointly by MILF and the government of the Philippines.