The IDB officials arrived in the country late last month to examine programs for alleviating poverty, developing human capital and improving the quality of life for Muslim communities in non-member countries such as the Philippines, said Dr. Potri Disomimba-Ali, chairperson of the Datu Palawan Disomimba Development Foundation.

The guests were welcomed and received in Manila by Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Bai Omerah Dianalan Lucman and lawyer Hamid Barra, both representing the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos, also met the delegations.

They made a courtesy visit to Mamintal Adiong Jr., the governor of Lanao del Sur, one of five provinces in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.

The delegations came to visit and follow-up on existing IDB projects and identify new projects for Muslim community partners, as well as providing initial clearance for existing projects.

The IDB officials examined schemes including the Tamparan Medical Foundation Rehabilitation Center and hospitals and schools in different parts of Mindanao such as the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato and Davao City.

Essam Noor Fadel Al-Shanqiti, head of the IDB Special Assistance Division, and Hossam Baghat, IDB Country Project Officer, stated their commitment to a 10-year comprehensive and integrated community health development plan for the Lanao Center of Health and Wellness, which was presented by Disomimba-Ali.

“We are really happy and inspired by the visit of the IDB delegations and our people are so thankful for the continuous support and commitment of the bank in helping us in this benevolent endeavor, improving the life of the needy through long term education and health projects,” Disomimba-Ali told Arab News.

“Alhamdulillah, we really appreciated the assistance of the IDB and its global partners in helping the Muslim Ummah in the Philippines.”