Embassy of Japan's Deputy Chief of Mission Minister Motohiko Kato (third from right) cut the ceremonial ribbon during the inauguration of the Catubig Dam held on June 5, 2010 in Catubig, Northern Samar.. Assisting Minister Kato were (from right): JICA Senior Representative Kazuhiko Ueno, Congressman Paul R. Daza, Northern Samar Governor Raul A. Daza, NIA Deputy Administrator Antonio Galvez and Provincial Board Member Albert Lucero. |
The completed Catubig Dam under the “Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP). |
Embassy of Japan 's Deputy Chief of Mission Minister Motohiko Kato led the blessing and ceremonial opening of the Catubig Dam under the “ Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP) ” on June 5, 2010 in Catubig, Northern Samar .
The HCAAP is a major infrastructure project under the collaboration of the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas. The Government of Japan extended an ODA Loan totaling 5,210 million Yen or approximately 2,565 million Pesos for this project.
The project is geared towards promoting sustainable agricultural and economic development in Northern Samar by raising the income level of farmers, generating new employment opportunities as well as improving the social infrastructure and services of various communities in Catubig and Las Navas municipalities. The other components of the HCAAP include: provision of irrigation facilities under the NIA, flood protection and extension of road network and bridges handled by the DPWH, enhancement of public health through parasite control (schistosomiasis) under the Department of Health Region VIII, agricultural support services by the DA, and institutional development and procurement of equipment by LGU Northern Samar.
The Catubig dam is one of the major components of the HCAAP. The dam has the capacity to irrigate 3,226.7 hectares of farmlands and will benefit more than 580 farm families in the municipality of Catubig . The completed dam will substantially address the critical problem of lack of irrigation water in the communities and spur agriculture as well as economic activities in Northern Samar .
The Government of Japan has assisted the efforts of the Philippine Government to attain food security and poverty alleviation programs as well as the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Japan is the Philippines' largest source of ODA and has been a long-time partner in various sectors including transportation and agriculture for more than five decades.
Speech of Ambassador Motohiko Kato
Japanese Version
