Turnover Ceremony for “The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Bonifacio Elementary School, Surigao City” under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)

   On February 13, 2020, First Secretary Manabu Yasukawa of the Embassy of Japan attended the turnover ceremony in Surigao City for the “The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Bonifacio Elementary School, Surigao City”.　
 
   Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas Jr., Department of Education Assistant Regional Director of Caraga Director Arsenio T. Cornites Jr., and Schools Division Superintendent Karen Galanida, school teachers, and students also graced the event.
 
   Numerous school buildings in Surigao City were severely damaged by 2017 earthquake. Due to the lack of resources, the school had to use makeshift classrooms and conduct morning and afternoon classes to accommodate its students.
 
   The project was approved in 2017 and is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
 
   In line with the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD)*1 and through the GGP, the Embassy of Japan provided assistance to the City Government of Surigao with a grant amounting to One Hundred Fifty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Two US Dollars (USD 156,892) or approximately 7.7 million pesos *2. The grant covered the construction of the two-storey six-classroom school building which will benefit 324 students of Bonifacio Elementary School.
 
   The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. At present, GGP had implemented 548 grassroots projects in the country. Japan believes that these projects will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute in sustaining strategic partnership between the two countries.
 
 
Note*1: Since 2006, Japan has been intensively implementing the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects and other ODA projects for conflict affected areas in Mindanao, collectively called J-BIRD (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development). Their total amount is over 200 million US Dollars. Furthermore, when former President Aquino made a state visit to Japan in June 2015, Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Shinzo Abe expressed at their summit meeting his support for the efforts by the Government of the Philippines to secure enduring peace in Mindanao, and stated that the Government of Japan will promote J-BIRD II in view of the establishment of a new autonomous political entity.
 
Note*2: Grant Amount: USD 156,892; Dollar Rate 1 USD = PHP 49.3 (as of June 2017)