Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo has met with former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and other Bicol political leaders during a visit to Camarines Sur on February 24, as Japan underscored its continuing commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects in the region.
During courtesy calls also with Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte and First District Representative Tsuyoshi Horibata, Ambassador Endo introduced the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to advancing Philippines-Japan cooperation in Camarines Sur by contributing to the improvement of people’s lives in the province.
In Naga City, the Ambassador exchanged views with Mayor Robredo on existing initiatives and challenges faced by the city. He also highlighted the significance of this year, which marks the 70th anniversary of Philippines-Japan Friendship, and discussed ways to encourage the people of Naga and the broader Bicol Region to cultivate further interest in Japan and promote stronger people-to-people ties.
The visit also included the turnover ceremony for “The Project for Procurement of an Ambulance for the Municipality of Sipocot, Camarines Sur,” attended by Municipal Mayor Tomas Bocago and local officials.
Sipocot’s two operational ambulances responded to 295 emergency cases and 223 non-emergency cases last year. However, only two units have been serving the entire municipality, creating significant challenges in ensuring timely response — particularly when patients must be transported to hospitals located 44 to 120 kilometers away from the provincial hospital.
The existing ambulances also lack adequate medical equipment, often leaving them unable to provide essential care during patient transport. Given these conditions, the municipality urgently needed an additional unit.
To address the situation, the Embassy of Japan provided a grant amount of US$55,027 (approximately ₱3 million) to the Municipal Government of Sipocot. The grant covers the procurement of a new ambulance that will serve the town’s 68,000 residents.
In his message, Ambassador Endo expressed his hopes that the new ambulance will not only enhance the capacity of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in delivering its daily services, but will also strengthen its ability to respond to emergencies during and after calamities, ultimately saving lives and supporting the well-being of residents.
Japan remains the Philippines’ top Official Development Assistance donor, with 2025 marking the 70th anniversary of its ODA program. The Japanese government launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and empower communities through grassroots initiatives.
To date, 567 grassroots projects have been implemented under the GGP program nationwide. Japan has expressed confidence that these initiatives will further strengthen the longstanding friendship between Japan and the Philippines and elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Through engagements with local leaders and targeted grassroots support such as the Sipocot ambulance project, Japan signaled its intention to sustain meaningful, community-level cooperation in Bicol as part of its broader development partnership with the Philippines.