Reverend Dr. Kimihiko Murakami
Founder & Executive Director, Japan Asian Association & Asian Friendship Society (JAFS)
Dr. Mina Ramirez
President, Asian Social Institute
Dr. Gina Yap
Vice President for Social Development, Asian Social Institute
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good afternoon to you all.
I am honoured to be here to witness the completion of the housing project for the victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy in the municipalities of Angono, Binangonan, and Cardona. Thanks to this project, 379 houses have been built in 15 barangays of the three municipalities. I would like to commend the efforts by the Japanese NGO, the Japan Asian Friendship Society (JAFS) and people from related municipalities and barangays to successfully implement this project.
This project was funded by the Government of Japan thr ough the Japan Platform. The Japan Platform is a humanitarian aid organization comprised of Japanese NGOs as well as commercial and government institutions that provide assistance in times of emergencies outside of Japan. I am pleased to mention that, through the Japan Platform, fourteen typhoon-related projects have been successfully implemented by seven Japanese NGOs.
Last year, Tropical Storm Ondoy ravaged Metro Manila and surrounding provinces such as the Rizal P rovince and severely affected thousands of households. The G overnment of Japan rose to the occasion by various emergency assistance such as the provision of relief items to the victims, the food assistance through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), and the relief and medical missions through the Japan Platform. Even after such emergency relief, it takes time and patience for the reconstruction efforts to rebuild what the storm had destroyed.
Therefore, Japan has also been engaged in reconstruction projects for the areas affected by Ondoy and also Typhoon Pepeng. Last April, Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo signed and exchanged notes for an ODA loan that finance the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure. This project will carry out repairs and reinforcement of damaged overpass bridges as well as flood control facilities to improve the living environment of the victims.
This housing project represents Japan's strong commitment to continue reconstruction efforts together with Filipino people. I hope that those who lost their houses will be able to resume daily li ves with ease and comfort. Natural calamities happen, but it is inherent in man to help those who are in need. In this regard, I would like to reiterate our commitment to cooperate with the Government of the Philippines; and we look forward to strengthening the strategic partnership between our countries.
Thank you very much for your attention .
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines