On August 17, 2018, Dr. Takeo Okada, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan attended the turnover ceremony for “The Project for the Construction of a Health Facility” in Pateros, Metro Manila. The project was approved in Fiscal Year 2014 and is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The ceremony was also attended by Mayor Miguel F. Ponce III, Vice Mayor Gerald S. German, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Gerardo V. Bayugo, DOH National Capital Region Assistant Director Maria Paz P. Corrales, other local government officials, and beneficiaries of the project.

Due to the increasing population in Barangay Aguho and other nearby barangays, the health center could no longer accommodate all the patients who need affordable health services. In addition, the health center is dilapidated with leaking roof, and termite damages. As a result, the health center has not been able to provide a suitable medical environment for its patients.

To address this situation, the Embassy of Japan (EOJ) in 2015 provided financial assistance amounting to US$ 96,775 or approximately 4 million pesos to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pateros for the construction of a new health facility and the procurement of new medical equipment. This project aims to provide improved basic medical services to the people of Pateros particularly to the 14,800 residents of Barangay Aguho and its nearby areas.

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 this project will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute in sustaining strategic partnership between the two countries.