Photo shows Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa congratulating Mayor Joseph Evangelista after signing the grant contract for “The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Patadon Elementary School in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato” on March 24, 2015 at the Astoria Plaza, Pasig City, Metro Manila. The ceremony was witnessed by the representatives of the City Government of Kidapawan. |
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa and the City Mayor of the City Government of Kidapawan, Mr. Joseph Evangelista signed the grant contract for "The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Patadon Elementary School in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato" on March 24, 2015 at the Astoria Plaza, Pasig City, Metro Manila. The total amount is US$ 92,785 (approximately 3.89 million pesos) and is funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
(Project Summary)
Through the GGP, the Embassy of Japan (EOJ) will provide funding for the construction of additional two (2) units one (1) storey two (2) classroom building to provide conducive learning environment to 591 students of Patadon Elementary School. The City Government of Kidapawan on the other hand, committed to provide funding for the procurement of the needed armchairs for students.
Currently, the school experienced shortage in classrooms due to the increase in the number of students who are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from nearby conflict affected communities in Maguindanao and Cotabato province. To accommodate more students, the school is currently using their social hall were students crammed in narrow spaces while others are using dilapidated classrooms.
(About the Proponent)
Kidapawan is the capital city in the province of North Cotabato. It is situated along Cotabato-Davao road with a total population of 125,447 residents in 2010 (NSO website). It is primarily an agricultural area with 56% or about 18,998 hectares of its total land is used for agriculture purpose particularly in the production of durian, rambutan, mango, mangosteen, lanzones and banana. Kidapawan is governed by the City Government. Under its current administration, focus is given to education sector particularly in addressing the concerns on the shortage of classrooms. Currently, Kidapawan has a total of 53 public elementary schools 20 public high schools.
Patadon Elementary School is among the public elementary schools in Kidapawan City. It was created in 1939 with a total land area of 2.5 hectares. It is situated in Barangay Patadon and is the only Moro community in the city of Kidapawan. The school was established to provide accessible education facility to the people of Patadon of which 90% of the total population is considered poor. To help their poor residents, the City Government provided financial assistance to encourage students finish education.
(About the GGP)
The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of present, 508 grassroots projects have been funded by GGP. Japan believes that this project will not only strengthen the 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
