On March 16, 2023, Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko signed four grant contracts under Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) 1 at his official residence. The total grant amount of USD 431,446 (approximately PHP 25.2 million*2) will be used for the construction of a two-story six-classroom elementary school building, construction of a food processing training facility and procurement of equipment, provision of a transportation vehicle for sheltered children, and provision of a water purification system for an elementary school and its surrounding community.
In his message during the ceremony, Ambassador KOSHIKAWA affirmed that Japan continues to be Philippines’ devoted partner in improving the quality of life of Filipinos. He also expressed his belief in the uniqueness of the GGP – a small scale yet valuable tool that can make “significant contributions in directly empowering local communities by responding to the specific and growing needs of the people”.
The details of the four projects are as follows:
The Project for Construction of School Building for Ilog Elementary School in Municipality of Ilog, Negros Occidental
Proponent: Municipality of Ilog
Grant Amount: USD 247,228 (PHP 14,475,242)
Overview: Ilog Elementary School utilizes makeshift spaces including their outdoor stage as classrooms in order to accommodate a large number of students wishing to learn and grow. In addition, most classrooms at the school are in dilapidated and unsafe conditions. Through the GGP project, the proponent will construct a new 2-storey six-classroom building with comfort rooms, allowing the school to provide a safer and more comfortable learning space for 215 students. The proposed building will also serve as an evacuation center that can accommodate over 200 individuals during calamities.
The Project for Construction of Food Processing Training Center in Bombon, Camarines Sur
Proponent: Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.
Grant Amount: USD 62,247 (PHP 3,644,620)
Overview: In the Province of Camarines Sur, many residents depend on agricultural income for their living. Although efforts have been made in the region to reduce farmers’ poverty, the average income of farmers remain low, partly because many of them do not possess post-harvest processing skills. The GGP project will enable the proponent to provide the needed capacity building to farmers on food processing through construction of a training facility and procurement of training equipment, with the aim to increase product values and income of the farmers in 10 target communities.
The Project for Procurement of Transportation Vehicle for Street Children Center in Lipa City, Batangas
Proponent: Sarnelli Center for Street Children Foundation, Inc.
Grant Amount: USD 16,591 (PHP 971,428.57)
Overview: With a goal of reaching out to children at risk working or living on the streets, the proponent serves as a residential care facility and provides the children with a homely environment that addresses their material and spiritual needs as they go through rehabilitation and reintegration as responsible members of a society. The GGP project will equip the proponent with a transportation vehicle that will make sheltered children’s commutes to schools and counselling as well as other rehabilitation activities safer and more accessible.
The Project for Procurement of Water Purification System for Barangay Mabato in Rosario, Batangas
Proponent: The Golden Wheel Awards Foundation, Inc.
Grant Amount: USD 105,380 (PHP 6,169,999)
Overview: Teachers and students of Mabato Elementary School do not have an easy access to portable water at school and the surrounding area. Through the GGP project, the proponent will install a mobile water purification tank in the said school, in order to provide clean drinking water to teachers, students and their families, as well as residents of Barangay Mabato in time of disasters and emergencies. The project will promote better hygiene and sanitation practices among people in Barangay Mabato.
*1 As the top ODA donor for the Philippines, the Government of Japan launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities. The four projects signed today are the newest addition to the 553 grassroots projects that have already been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries.
*2 Rate 1 USD = PHP 58.55 (as of October 17, 2022)