On March 5, Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe signed six (6) grant contracts for various social development projects funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) at the Embassy of Japan.
The series of GGP projects, amounting to 557,068 US dollars or about 22.7 mil lion pesos, will form part of Japan 's commitment to empowerment of vulnerable people in the Philippines as well as support for “Inclusive Growth” stated in “Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.” Th rough the projects, the Embassy's grants are going to be used for construction of 1) a lemongrass oil distillation plant, 2 ) a Schistosomiasis control center, 3 ) a six-classroom school building in a high school , 4 ) a vaccine storage facility , and 5) a training center for women, as well as 6) procurement of compactors and equipments for waste disposal. Details of each signing ceremonies can be found in individual press releases:
Japan Funds Plant for Lemongrass Oil Distillation in Negros Occidental
Japan Funds Schistosomiasis Control Center in Catarman, Northern Samar
Japan Constructs Six Classrooms in Albay
Japan Funds Freezer for Vaccine Storage at RITM
Japan Funds Women's Training Center in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya
Japan funds Systematic Waste Disposal in Sagay, Negros Occidental
For Japanese Fiscal Year 2012, the Embassy has signed grant contracts of 7 GGP projects, which mount to 672,563 US dollars or 27.4 million pesos, including the project for water supply system in Surigao del Norte signed on February 20, 2013. In addition, more GGP projects are expected to be signed by the end of March, 2013.
The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the GGP in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. By March 5, 2013, the Embassy has signed 475 GGP grant contracts – ranging from roughly 1 to 4 million pesos per each project – with NGOs, local government units and other non-profit organizations. The total grant for these projects so far amounts to US$ 23. 18 million. Japan believes that th ese project s will not only strengthen friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to further fostering a strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines toward the future.
Japanese Version
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