Mr. Isagani R. Serrano, PRRM President
Hon. JOHN D. BALASYA: Municipal Mayor
Hon. BIO B. MENDOZA: Barangay Captain
Mrs. Rayoa Joy Calansi: Department of Education, Kayapa
Forestor. Valentino Baccay: Foresty Specialist CENRO ARITAO
Forestor. Mario Bungbong: CENRO ARITAO
Forestor. Marcelo Bumidang: CENRO Dupax Del Sur & Kasibu
Mr. Estwfanio Navarette Jr :SB comity Secretary
Mr. VirgilioMaejan: SB Secretary and Company
Mr. Mariano Liwan: Brgy. Kagawad and Company
Mr. Ryosuke Kawabe:Project Manager GLM institute
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good morning to you all.
Before starting my remarks on the project before us, I would like to express, on behalf of the Government and people of Japan, our heartfelt sympathy to all the people affected by the recent typhoons and tropical storms. I also wish to express our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives.
It is my great honor and pleasure to join you all today as we formally turn over these irrigation systems for the communities in this province. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the GLM Institute in their efforts for making the project a success as well as for kindly facilitating this event.
As you are aware, both Japan and the Philippines are island nations, wi th rich natural resources such as vast forest cover, mountains, rivers and lakes that we can be proud of . It is however sad to note that, in the Philippines, which is known as the Pearl of the Orient, there is rapid depletion of its natural resources especially watershed areas. I believe that we are truly responsible for preserving, protecting and enhancing these natural treasures for the future generations.
It is noteworthy that in the Philippines, Japan's Official Development Assistance focuses on programs and projects that uphold and support sustainable environmental awareness and protection, including forest conservation.
Japan believes that there is an urgent need to further strengthen and improve appropriate forest management in this country. We also recognize that the Philippine Government has been dealing with this concern for decades as espoused in its national strategy for sustainable forest management in the Philippines through the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Program.
The Government of Japan has assisted the CBFM program as well as other efforts of the Philippine Government in the preservation of its forest resources for more than ten years. I am pleased that your project supports this undertaking.
Although small in scale, we are pleased that in its first year of efficient implementation, this Project's community-based activities has brought sustainable fruits to the participating communities and empowered linkages and partnerships among communities and local government units.
In this second year, we believe that these irrigation systems will truly complement the efforts of the participating communities and enhance sustainable forest management in their respective areas. We hope all the stakeholders will make optimal use of these facilities and the participating farmers who underwent trainings under this project will act as catalysts to other farmers. I hope they will continue the dissemination of appropriate technologies and environmental awareness in their respective localities.
We have always emphasized the importance of the ownership of the community concerned for the conservation of forest resources. The infusion of hundreds of millions of pesos could not develop and sustain rich forestlands through the years unless supported by community based activities. While your municipalities have received funds for this Project and experienced technical assistance from the GLM Institute, please note that this Project is just one step for your endeavor. I would like to highlight the importance of establishing your own sustainable and self-sufficient activities so that through your efforts, you would be able to attain your ultimate objective of regaining back the abundant forest resources in your province.
I am confident that the GLM Institute, the local government agencies, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and all the other agencies involved will be able to ensure adequate support for the successful outcome of this project.
In closing, I sincerely hope that this occasion will further strengthen the strong ties between our two countries.
Thank you very much.
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines