ACTION (A Child’s Trust is Ours to Nurture, Incorporated) celebrated its 30th anniversary on January 31, 2024, with a special reception at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence marking its significant milestone by highlighting its commitment to empower Filipino children.

Founded in 1994 by Mr. YOKOTA Hajime after his time in Zambales for the reconstruction efforts following the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, ACTION has been committed to ensuring no child is left behind. Over the years, the organization has undertaken numerous psychosocial, capacity-building, and economic development programs. To date, ACTION is working with JICA through the “Project for Strengthening the Support System for Children in Child Welfare Institutions and Local Governments in 11 Regions Including Metro Manila.” This collaboration addresses important social issues such as the healthy development of impoverished children in the Philippines and the rehabilitation and reintegration of children who have violated the law.

In his speech, Ambassador Koshikawa acknowledged the invaluable contribution of Japanese NGOs like ACTION, emphasizing their role in the promotion of international cooperation. “There was a time when it was said that “Japan’s international cooperation was faceless.” For this reason, the work of Japanese NGOs that have continued grassroots activities such as ACTION for many years is invaluable” the Ambassador recalled.

Last December 2023, ACTION was the only Japanese NGO to receive the “Outstanding Social Welfare and Development Organization Award” from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Ambassador Koshikawa expressed his hope that ACTION’s endeavors will inspire collaboration across the public, private sector, and civil society for the continued development of Philippine society.

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With few large rivers in the rural areas of Bohol, residents struggle daily to access safe water. This project aims to improve the health and sanitation conditions of the locals in the rural areas of Bohol by constructing water supply systems that reuse rainwater, establishing a management network for it, and providing hygiene education.

The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects started in the Philippines in 2002. Since then, the Japanese Government has made contracts for 58 projects in the Philippines under this scheme amounting to approximately 1.6 billion JPY (approximately 645.6 million pesos) in total. Japan believes that this project will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of the Philippines and Japan, but also bolster the existing strategic partnership between the two countries.

Note: Exchange Rate from BSP: 1 USD = PHP 54.8440, 1 PHP=JPY 0.4035 (as of March 7, 2023)