Japanese Embassy Minister Jiro Okuyama (far right) joined the ribbon cutting ceremonies with (from left) Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco, OISCA Philippines President and Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon and OISCA-Bago Training Center Director Shigemi Watanabe.
Japanese Embassy Minister Jiro Okuyama led the ceremonial turnover of second hand cocoon cooking machine worth 3.275 million Yen under the “Donation of Used Equipment to Negros Sericulture Project” which was held last August 11, 2009 in Bago City, Negros Occidental. The project, which was funded under the Japan-NGO Assistance Recycle Program is being implemented by the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) International. OISCA is a Japanese NGO which employs a holistic approach to promoting environmentally sustainable development projects in various countries including the Philippines.
The island of Negros has a history of sugar cane monoculture. However, fluctuations in sugar prices during the 1980s have left many villages dependent on sugar production, economically vulnerable. The sericulture project started as an experimental mulberry plantation project introduced by OISCA in the town of Murcia, Negros Occidental in 1989, as an additional source of livelihood to help improve the income of the people in Negros Island. The project became viable and in 1998, received initial assistance under the Japan NGO Assistance Program for the construction of a silk reeling center building including cocoon dryer and machineries. From a mere exporter of dried cocoons to Japan, the factory has been producing approximately 12 tons of reeled silk per year. OISCA also signed a tie-up with the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 1999 and received further support of additional reeling machines from Japan in 2004. In 2006, a Silkworm Breeding Station was established as part of the Japan NGO Assistance Program. This paved the way for the production of silk cloths woven from silk yarns.
Over the years, silk production in Negros has benefited and improved the lives of numerous farmers who found additional sources of livelihood from cocoon farming and later to silk products and by-products. The Bago Sericulture Center has branched out in 3 towns in Negros Occidental. The project's farmer beneficiaries produced 83% of the Philippines' total silk production. The Sericulture Project, being a fairly new industry in the Philippines attracted thousands of visitors from various parts of the country. The project has also indirectly mitigated natural disasters like landslides and prevented soil erosion since formerly denuded lands became mulberry tree plantations. As a whole, the Project has substantially benefited not only the silk farmers in Negros Occidental but has provided multiple economic gains and contributed to poverty alleviation not only in the target communities but in the entire province of Negros Occidental as well.
The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects was launched in 2002 to enhance cooperation between the Government of Japan and NGOs in the implementation of ODA to promote effective and efficient aid for developing countries. Since then, 307 grassroots level projects with an estimated total of more than 4,611 million yen have been implemented by NGOs. In the Philippines, 10 projects have been implemented in various sectors.
Speech of Minister Jiro Okuyama
Japanese Version
