Minister Motohiko Kato of the Embassy of Japan handing over the symbolic key to Vice-Mayor James Gamao during the Turnover Ceremony of the Garbage Compactors for Panabo City. |
Photo shows one of the three garbage compactors donated by the people of Japan to address environmental concerns of Panabo City residents. |
Minister Motohiko Kato, Embassy of Japan's Deputy Chief of Mission, attended the turnover ceremony of “The Project for Acquisition of Garbage Compactors for Panabo City” on August 26, 2010. The project was funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects ( GGP ) with a grant of US$52,74 8 (approximately P2.4 M ).
Panabo City is located in the Province of Davao del Norte and has a population of 150,000. It has thrived into an important trading post for agricultural and industrial sectors, and has facilitated smooth business transactions of investors. In recent years, the development and rapid urbanization of the city has led to the influx of workers from its surrounding areas. As a result, Panabo City faces the increase of population, and needs to deal with new challenges in providing basic services for increasing residents. One of these challenges is to establish an effective garbage collection system. Earlier, the city had only two trucks for garbage collection while the whole city generated about 67 tons of garbage every day. The regular garbage collection was conducted only for two major markets in the city, and the collection in residential areas was irregular. Residents had to bear with bad odor from accumulating wastes, and the concern for sanitation had been emerging.
To cope with these circumstances, Panabo City decided to seek assistance from the Embassy of Japan. Under this project, the city was provided with a donation consisting of three garbage compactors from Osaka City in Japan. The Society for Promotion of Japanese Diplomacy (SPJD), a Japanese association which renders international cooperation and advocates global issues in Japan, supported Panabo City in the reconditioning of the vehicles including the conversion from right-hand to left-hand drive, and the transportation of vehicles from Japan to Panabo City. The Embassy of Japan assisted the expenses for these conversion and hauling cost. With the addition of three garbage compactors, the city's garbage collection will be more efficient and regular, which will provide better sanitation and improved environment for the residents.
Minister Kato stated in his speech, “I believe that with this assistance, the City Government of Panabo can now address the environmental concern of its residents.”
The GGP was launched in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of March 2010, 434 grassroots projects funded by GGP – ranging from roughly 1 to 4 million pesos – have been implemented by NGOs, local government units and other non-profit organizations. The total grant for these projects so far amounts to US$ 18,982,775.
Speech of Minister Motohiko Kato
Japanese Version
