A Symbolic key was presented from Minister Isomata of the Embassy, Mr. Ando of Aichi Rescue, and Mr. Fujii of RASA Japan , to Angeles City Mayor Hon. Pamintuan and Punong Barangay Chairperson Hon. Mercado |
Mr. Ando of Aichi Rescue, Angeles City Mayor Hon. Pamintuan and from Minister Isomata of the Embassy, unveiling the marker |
On February 12, 2013, Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan, Akio Isomata, attended the turnover ceremony of “the Extension Plan for Pineda-Gutierrez Elementary School” in Angeles City, Pampanga Province. The project, amounting to US$ 107,645 (approximately 4.5 million pesos), is funded by the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, a grant funding program of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) . The ceremony was attended by City of Angeles Mayor Hon. Edgardo D. Pamintuan, Punong Barangay Chairperson Ms. Alma D. Mercado, Executive Director of Mother Laura Gertrude Seland Foundation, Inc (MLGSFI) as well as Mr. Yoshimi Ando, Director of Aichi Rescue, the Japanese NGO that implemented the project.
Pineda-Gutierrez Elementary School used to ha ve only 8 classrooms, while about 700 pre-school and elementary school students attend the school . The shortage of classrooms has led to congestion in the classrooms as well as reduced class hours due to a two-shift schedule. In addition, the school used to have only one toilet.
Under the project, a two -story building with 4 classroom s has been constructed for Pineda-Gutierrez Elementary School . Along with the building, 1 8 0 arm chair desk s , blackboards, desks and chairs for teachers have been provided and 4 toilets have also been installed . Th is project will address the growing concern over classroom congestion and will provide the students with an improved learning environment.
The construction of the new school building was helped by more than 50 Japanese volunteers, who are university students in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where Aichi Rescue is based. The volunteers also joined exchange activities with the local community during their stay.
The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects started in the Philippines in 2002. Since then, the Japanese Government has disbursed approximately 186 million pesos for a total of 31 projects in the Philippines under the scheme. Japan believes that this project will strengthen not only friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also the existing strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.
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Minister Isomata and Hon. Mercado, cutting the ribbon.
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Principal of the school Ms. Vilma B. Liao, Program Officer of MLGSFI Ms. Alicia G. Molina, Minister Isomata, Mr. Ando, Hon. Pamintuan, Executive Director of MLGSFI Ms. Cristina P. Nacario, Hon. Mercado, Mr. & Mrs. Fujii in one of the new classrooms
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Japanese Version
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