Turnover Ceremonies for “The Project for the Acquisition of One (1) Unit of Container Wing Van for Small Rice Farmers in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur” and “The Project for the Construction of an Outpatient Building of Rural Health Unit in Vincenzo Sagun” under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP)
On August 29, 2018, First Secretary Tetsuharu Mori and Second Secretary Takeo Okada of the Embassy of Japan attended the turnover ceremonies in Pagadian City for the “The Project for the Acquisition of One (1) Unit of Container Wing Van for Small Rice Farmers in the Municipality of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur” and “The Project for the Construction of an Outpatient Building of Rural Health Unit in Vincenzo Sagun”. These projects were approved in 2016 and 2014, respectively, and are part of the Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). Center Chief Carlito Larubis of the Department of Agriculture, Labangan Farmers First Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAFFICO) General Manager Ernesto Gepanaga Jr, Municipal Mayor Merlinda Maata, and Dr. Agnes Fernando of the Department of Health attended the ceremonies for the project.
1. The Project for the Acquisition of One (1) Unit of Container Wing Van for Small Rice Farmers in Labangan
Many people of the Municipality of Labangan make living through agriculture, particularly in the production of rice. However, most of its farmers do not have a vehicle to deliver their goods. As a result, the need to hire private traders to manage their deliveries adds more costs for the farmers, and made it difficult for them to produce a large volume of rice production.
Through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), the Embassy of Japan provided assistance to LAFFICO with a grant amounting to Ninety-Seven Thousand Six Hundred Nineteen US Dollars (USD 97,619) or approximately 4.1 million pesos. The grant covered the procurement of one (1) container wing van which will be used by 1,361 farmer-members of the cooperative, and other farmers for hauling services. This grant is part of Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD)*1.
2. The Project for the Construction of an Outpatient Building of Rural Health Unit in Vincenzo Sagun
Majority of the poor residents of the Municipality of Vincenzo Sagun have to rely on free medical assistance such as maternity services, management of tuberculosis and leprosy cases, and laboratory services at the municipal rural health facility. Given the increasing number of patients, the existing semi-concrete health facility could no longer provide the standard health services to the community.
Through the GGP, the Embassy of Japan provided assistance to the Municipality of Vincenzo Sagun with a grant amounting to Ninety-Four Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Eight US Dollars (USD 94,748) or approximately 3.9 million pesos. The grant covered the construction of rural health unit’s extension building, and the procurement of medical equipment such as blood chemistry analyzer, delivery tables, among others. This assistance is expected to provide better and affordable health services benefitting 21,139 residents of the municipality. This grant is part of J-BIRD.
The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. At present, 534 grassroots projects have been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes that these projects will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute in strengthening strategic partnership between the two countries.
Note*1: Since 2006, Japan has been intensively implementing Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects and other ODA projects for conflict affected areas in Mindanao, collectively called J-BIRD (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development). Their total amount is over 200 million US Dollars. Furthermore, when former President Aquino made a state visit to Japan last June 2015, Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe, expressed at their summit meeting his support for efforts by the Government of the Philippines to secure enduring peace in Mindanao, and stated that the Government of Japan will promote the J-BIRD II, in view of the establishment of a new autonomous political entity.
