Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects “PROVISION OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES FOR BFP” TURN OVER AND GRANT CONTRACT

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa attended the ceremonies of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)*1 on December 14, 2016 at the Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines in Quezon City. The event had a turnover of “The Project for Providing Emergency Vehicles to 11 Local Government Units in Visayas” and a grant contract signing of “The Project for Providing Emergency Vehicles to 15 Local Government Units in Mindanao” under the provision of emergency vehicles for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) *2. This event was also attended by Secretary Ismael Sueno of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Chief Superintendent Bobby Baruelo of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Dr. Vincent Manalo of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The occasion was also attended by mayors from the beneficiary municipalities and 200 fire fighters.

The BFP doesn’t have sufficient number of emergency vehicles to provide their every fire station for their rescue operations and fire extinguishing activities.

This gap became apparent during typhoon Yolanda last 2013. After which, the Embassy of Japan started to extend assistance to BFP in providing emergency vehicles. This partnership between the Embassy of Japan and BFP has expanded in Mindanao, as we witnessed a grant contract signing for the third project earlier in this ceremony.

The total number of the emergency vehicles granted by the Embassy of Japan under these projects amount to 54 units, around 700,000 US dollars in value.

Through these projects, BFP will be able to improve their services during emergency response cognizant to the efforts being made by Japan in improving disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines. It is expected that a total of 3.06 million people in Visayas as well as 6.60 million in Midanao will benefit from these projects.


Note*1;The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of present, 520 grassroots projects have been funded by GGP. Japan believes that this project will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to further fostering a strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines toward the future.

Note*2; Project Summary of “PROVISION OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES FOR BFP”

(2014)
1. Project Title: The project for Providing Emergency Vehicles for the Typhoon “Yolanda”- Affected Areas in the Philippines
2. Amount: 202,760 US Dollars
3. Number of Vehicles: 20 units (Fire truck 17 units, Ambulance 3 units)
4. Target Area : 17 Municipalities in Visayas

(2015)
1. Project Title: The project for Providing Emergency Vehicles to 11 local Government Units in Visayas
2. Amount: 240,572 US Dollars
3. Number of Vehicles: 17 units (Fire truck 9 units, Ambulance 7 unit, Rescue truck 1 unit)
4. Target Area: 11 Municipalities in Visayas

(2016)
1. Project Title: The project for Providing Emergency Vehicles to 15 local Government Units in Mindanao
2. Amount: 250,247 US Dollars
3. Number of Vehicles: 17 units (Fire truck 2 units, Ambulance 14 units, Rescue truck 1unit)
4. Target Area: 15 Municipalities in Mindanao