THE Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, led by its First Secretary Manabu Yasukawa, witnessed on May 8 the turnover ceremony of the community learning center in the municipality of Magallanes, Sorsogon. The project was funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), one of Japan’s official development assistance.
The ceremony was also attended by Mayor Augusto Manuel M. Ragragio of Magallanes, municipal council members, Department of Education division office officials and beneficiaries of the project.
Through the GGP, the embassy provided assistance to the municipality of Magallanes with a grant amounting to $98,776, or approximately P4.1 million. It covered the construction of a two-story/two-classroom learning center with furniture and equipment that will provide a proper and safe learning environment to approximately 950 students and will benefit about 2,895 residents who are willing to avail themselves of the free-education program.
The government of Japan, as the top overseas development assistance donor for the Philippines, launched the GGP in 1989 to help reduce poverty and assist various communities who are engaged in grassroots activities. At present, it has implemented 533 grassroots projects.
Japan believes that this project would not only strengthen the friendship between its citizens and those of the Philippines, but also contribute in sustaining the strategic partnership between the two countries.