Honorable Deputy Director General Rolando G. Tungpalan,
National Economic Development Authority
Honorable Unders ecretary Joel Rudinas,
Department of Agriculture
Honorable Unders ecretary Merly M. Cruz,
Department of Trade and Industry
Honorable Country Programme Manager Sana F.K. Jatta,
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good morning.
It is a great pleasure and honor for me to attend today's opening ceremony of the RP-Japan “KR 2 ” Exhibit. This event marks another milestone in the longstanding cooperation between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Philippines in the implementation of the “Food Security Project for Underprivileged Farmers” formerly known as the “2KR”.
The Government of Japan has provided farm inputs worth billions of Pesos for the 2KR for more than three decades. The project has, since its inception, contributed to food self sufficiency and enhanced agricultural production in the Philippines. Furthermore, the counter-value fund of this project has been utilized for a wide range of agricultural and fishery development projects nationwide.
We are pleased that this project has also boosted the entrepreneurial capacities of the rural folks nationwide through implementation of agri-business and grassroots level projects that foster not only agricultural but also social and economic development. We commend you for the pioneering efforts in introduc ing innovative and viable approaches and activities that have empowered rural communities all over the country.
It is heartwarming to see outputs of successful projects and applied best practices being showcased through this Exhibit. This is indeed a good venue to raise public awareness as well as promoting various projects financed under the 2KR. Furthermore, the side-event investment forum is a good opportunity to discuss strategies in replicating the successes of the projects. Your innovative approaches of enhancing the productive capacities of rural folks by providing resources necessary to expand their knowledge as well as upgrading their skills beyond farming, through entrepreneurship and agri-business development are truly commendable.
I am very glad to see that Japan's ODA is instrumental in providing various economic opportunities for the rural sector. I believe the successful impact of this project has extended beyond the intended project beneficiaries and is continuously contributing to making a positive difference in improving the economic status of the people particularly at the grassroots level.
I express my gratitude to the National Economic Development Authority, the Department of Agriculture, particularly the National Agricultural and Fishery Council, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other agencies concerned for their commitment and efforts to make this event a success.
In closing, I hope this program will continue to empower and uplift the communities in the rural sector. On the part of Japan, we will continue to extend as much assistance as possible, as the top donor of the Official Development Assistance, to the nation building efforts of the Philippines. Let us combine all our efforts to make this project a continuing symbol of the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership for the future between our two countries.
Thank you for your attention. Mabuhay. (Cheers.)
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines