GGP Turnover Ceremony for a school building to Maungib Elementary School in Pura, Tarlac

On 13 July 2026, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines formally turned over a new one-storey, six-classroom school building to Maungib Elementary School in Pura, Tarlac, under Japan’s Grant Assistance for GrassrootsProjects (GGP). 
 
The turnover ceremony was attended by Second Secretary and GGP officer, Second Secretary Ms. MUKAIGAWA Yurie, First Secretary and Labour Attache Mr. SUZUKI Yuki, Pura Mayor Atty. John Paul M. Balmores, local government officials, and representatives of Maungib Elementary School. 
 
 “The Project for the Construction of School Building for Maungib Elementary School in Pura, Tarlac” was funded through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) under the GGP. The school is located in Barangay Maungib, in addition to the lack of classrooms, its building had severe termite damage and leaks, and there were cracks and depressions in the concrete floor slabs in many places, raising concerns about the risk of the building collapsing or falling apart. Furthermore, the school building had an insufficient number of toilets, which also caused hygiene problems. To address the need for safer and more suitable classrooms, the Embassy of Japan provided a grant amount of USD 78,267, or approximately PHP 4.5 million to LGU Pura.   

The new school building consists of six (6) classrooms, each with its own comfort room. The building will be used by pupils from Grades 1 to 6 and is expected to benefit approximately 100 students. 
 
After the ceremony, students joined in a Japanese traditonal Tanabata activity, where they tied colorful strips of paper bearing their wishes to a bamboo branch. Through the activity, participants and students could wish for the further friendship between Philippines and Japan.  

In her message, Ms. Mukaigawa emphasized that the new facility will provide students and teachers with a safer, more comfortable, and more conducive learning environment. She also expressed her hopes that the classrooms will not only support the students’ education but also open more opportunities for their future. 
 
Through this project, Japan reaffirms its continued commitment to support basic education and community development in the Philippines, particularly in underserved areas. 

As the top ODA donor for 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, 569 grassroots projects have been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines, and contribute to sustaining the strategic partnership between the two countries. 


Note: Dollar Rate 1 USD = PHP 57.15 (as of April 23, 2024)