Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo on Wednesday (March 19, 2025) signed two grant contracts under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects with total funding of USD594,447 (about ₱34.47 million) to support projects in agriculture and healthcare in the Philippines.
As part of Japan’s commitment to sustainable development in the Philippines, the allocation was provided to two Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs): the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International (OISCA International) and ChildFund Japan.
OISCA International will receive USD177,056 (about ₱10.27 million) for a project aimed at strengthening local livelihoods through sericulture (silk farming) in Northern Luzon and Northern Mindanao.
In partnership with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), the initiative will include short-term training, seminars, and field trials in Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, and Misamis Oriental. It will also involve the construction of a silkworm farm and a mulberry plantation, while enhancing stakeholder capacity through specialized training programs.
Meanwhile, ChildFund Japan will be granted USD417,391 (about ₱24.2 million) to improve healthcare access in indigenous peoples’ communities in Mindanao.
The project will establish and equip a barangay health station in the mountainous area of Davao del Sur, secure certification from the Department of Health, and strengthen existing community health systems. It also aims to facilitate access to national health insurance while providing essential health education programs.
Since its launch in 2002, the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects has funded 67 initiatives across the Philippines, with a total investment exceeding JPY 2 billion (approximately ₱779 million). These projects not only contribute to the well-being of local communities but also strengthen the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.
Japan remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster economic and social development, further deepening bilateral ties and cooperation between the two nations. Veronica Uy
(Exchange Rate: 1 USD = ₱57.99, 1 JPY = ₱0.3853 as of March 3, 2025, per BSP)
