Japan has extended the Philippines grants worth USD402,229 or P22.45 million in local currency to support water supply and sanitation as well as a sericulture projects that help improve the lives of Filipinos.
According to charges d’affaires Matsuda Kenichi of the Embassy of Japan, the grant contracts were extended to two Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGO) Ikaw-Ako and the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International (OISCA International).
The Ikaw-Ako NGO is funding the construction of rainwater tanks providing safe water supply and sanitation project in Bohol some of whose residents are prone to infectious diseases due to frequent droughts on the island province.
“While the poverty rate in Bohol has improved significantly in the recent years, residents still struggle to obtain safe water due to the lack of large rivers and lagging development of water supply systems. Addressing this issue, the project will construct water supply systems that reuse rainwater, taking advantage of geographical conditions with relatively high rainfall. In addition, the project will also establish its maintenance and management system and provide hygiene education in the rural areas of Bohol aiming to help improve the sanitation and health of its residents,” the Embassy of Japan said.
A separate grant to finance a sericulture project has also been extended support.
“This project aims to conduct short-term sericultural training, seminars and trials in collaboration with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) in Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and Misamis Oriental. It involves the construction of a silkworm farm and mulberry plantation, as well as the installation of greenhouses and solar panel systems. Additionally, the project will also support the strengthening of stakeholder capacity through training programs in both the Philippines and Japan, targeting representatives from each project site,” the Embassy of Japan said.
The grant assistance for Japanese NGO Projects started in 2002. Since then, Japan has awarded contracts for 64 projects in the Philippines under this scheme, amounting to approximately JPY 1.8 billion (approximately 678.78 million pesos) in total.
Japan believes these projects 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.
