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January 29, 2002

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (the Philippines), through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Government of Canada (Canada), through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), have agreed to pursue cooperation in the justice sector through the CIDA-funded Judicial Reform Support Program (CDN$7 million over five years).  A Concept Paper was approved by CIDA in September 2001 and a design mission was conducted in December 2001.

This cooperation is based on a long history of development cooperation between the two countries, and relates specifically to the Philippine Government’s recent endorsement of the judicial reform program exemplified in the Action Program for Judicial Reform 2001 – 2006, launched by the Philippine Supreme Court on 23 November 2000.  The cooperation will assist with the implementation of the Action Program which seeks to build “a judiciary that is independent, effective, and worthy of public trust and confidence; and a legal profession that provides quality, ethical, accessible and cost-effective legal services to [the Filipino] people and is willing and able to answer the call of public services”.  A cornerstone of democracy, a sound judicial system, will also contribute to the good governance and socio-economic development objectives of both Philippines and Canada.

Within this context, Canadian assistance could be directed towards enhancing access (particularly of marginalised sectors) to judicial services, strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, building reform constituencies within and outside government, and/or other areas deemed critical for reform.  Programming may include, but not be limited to, technical assistance, capacity development, institutional and organizational development and research initiatives.  The project will be implemented by A Canadian Executing Agency in partnership with Filipino counterparts.  In implementing the activities the Filipino and Canadian partners may call on the assistance of other government departments, bar associations, non-governmental organizations, universities and professional institutions both, national and international.

Following the signing of this Letter of Intent and the final approval of the CIDA project, Philippines and the Canada will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifying the roles and responsibilities of the participating entities and undertake the actions needed to field the project.

Done in Ottawa in two copies, this 29th day of January 2002, in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.