Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura congratulates Ms. Imelda Caro, Principal of Maria Clara High School, after signing the grant contract for the Project for the Construction of Two School Buildings for Maria Clara High School on January 28, 2011 at the Embassy of Japan. The event was witnessed by the officers of Maria Clara High School and the Embassy of Japan
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Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Ka ts ura and Maria Clara High School Principal Dr. Imelda Caro signed the grant contract for “The Project for Construction of Two School Buildings for Maria Clara High School” on January 28, 2011 at the Embassy of Japan. The project, amounting to US$ 208,219 (approximately 9 million pesos), is funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) of the Government of Japan.
Maria Clara High School lies in Caloocan City, Metro Manila. Since its district is one of the most densely-populated areas in the Philippines, Maria Clara High School has faced annual 8% increase in the number of students and, as a result, has been experiencing classroom shortage. With only 15 classrooms, the school has been forced to implement a two-shift schedule system and hold classes even in other rooms than classrooms such as its library, audio-visual room, science laboratory and stage. However, in spite of these efforts, the classroom congestion is still their main hurdle to provide quality education for students.
Under these circumstances, Maria Clara High School sought the assistance from the Embassy of Japan. In this project, two school buildings with ten classrooms will be constructed and 500 desks with chairs for students will also be provided. It is expected that this project will lead to an improved learning environment for around 2,340 students in the school. Japan believes that this project will not only strengthen friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to fostering a strategic partnership between the two countries towards the future.
Japan, as the top donor of the official development assistance for the Philippines , launched G GP in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of March 20 10 , 434 grassroots projects funded by GGP – ranging from roughly 1 to 4 million pesos – have been implemented by NGO s , local government units and other non-profit organizations. The total grant for these projects so far amounts to US$ 18,982,775. –end-
Japanese Version
