Turnover Ceremony for “The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Don Felix Robles Elementary School in La Castellana, Negros Occidental”

On August 23, 2022, Third Secretary YAMADA Yumi of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, together with La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla G. Nicor-Mangilimutan, and representatives from the Department of Education Region VI, District of Negros Occidental, attended the turnover ceremony for “The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Don Felix Robles Elementary School in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.” The project, first approved in 2019, is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP).
 

The Don Felix Robles Elementary School is one of the largest elementary schools in La Castellana, with over 1,800 pupils enrolled. Due to classroom shortage and the dilapidated state of some of its facilities, the school cannot provide a proper learning environment for its students. The faculty room and the school clinic were also used as temporary classrooms as a measure for the shortage.

To address this issue, the Embassy of Japan provided a grant amount of USD 81,122, or approximately PHP 4.1 million, to the Municipal Government of La Castellana. The grant covered the construction of a one-storey, four-classroom building for the said school.  On behalf of Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko of the Embassy of Japan, Third Secretary YAMADA delivered and expressed joy that the timely project will be able to provide a safe learning environment for the students as the school year starts.

As the top ODA donor to the Philippines, the Government of Japan launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities. At present, GGP has implemented 553 grassroots projects. Japan believes these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries.

Note: Grant Amount: USD 81,122; Dollar Rate 1 USD = PHP 51.3 (as of July 1, 2019)