Japan ODA 60th Anniversary

JICA-ODA and the YOUTH: Fostering Partnership in Quest for Development

Theresa Mae Villanueva, Fifth Place, South Hill School Inc.

Among the many things I have heard, watched, read and learned about Japan, the gripping stories of the 2011 earthquake in Japan, the discipline, resilience and selflessness of the Japanese moved me to admiration. Then, I was given this opportunity to know more about what this country have done to my community. My interest has grown more when I found out that JICA in 60 years through its vision of inclusive development has been my country's partner in improving the lives of Filipinos. I looked further as to what projects they have conducted in Laguna and how these projects are helping my community. Then, I also wonder, will it be possible for me to contribute? If JICA is helping my country, as member of my community, then I must make a contribution as well.

My curiosity to search for more information through this activity enables JICA to achieve one of its objectives, to promote 60 years of Japan ODA in the Philippines, particularly among the youth like me. One of its missions is to help address global concerns particularly those that concerns the environment, health, peace and security.

The Philippines is seated in the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and it is also considered as the typhoon belt of the Western North Pacific basin. Because of this, my country is very much exposed to natural disasters. Another problem is terrorism that has been a threat to peace and security. And while this country needs a healthy population to be able to achieve its socio-economic development, the Philippines is also facing problems on health. JICA, through its continuing country assistance strategies has been very supportive in helping us Filipinos address the problems.

Generally, JICA's projects are carried out through technical cooperation, developmental study for development planning, giving loans and aid. As of 2013, Mindanao has received huge assistance such as technical cooperation, development study for development planning and was granted loans. Luzon and Visayas on the other hand, were provided technical cooperation and also granted aids and loans.

JICA's projects create opportunity for participation and cooperation for young individuals and the school community. This should be of great interest to young generation who will benefit most from JICA's continuous effort. Foremost of these projects, is one that is of great interest to me – caring for the environment and this includes the Laguna lake ecosystem.

Laguna lake is considered the largest freshwater in the Philippines and in Asia. However, according to research findings, it is now the most degraded freshwater. One of JICA projects that were implemented in my community is focused on the lake's rehabilitation. This is the "Integrated Coastal Ecosystem Conservation and Adaptive Management Under Local and Global Environmental Impacts". JICA together with the University of the Philippines and other institutions leads a 5-year research project to help conserve biodiversity in the Philippines' coastal areas. Laguna Lake is one of the pilot areas.

How does this project help the people in Laguna? It is a fact that natural and human beings have greatly affected the biodiversity of the Lake. Aside from the declining condition of the Lake, the water quality is also declining resulting to decrease in open fish catch. JICA has given support to rehabilitate the Laguna Lake. Millions of Lagunense (people of Laguna) live along the shoreline. Many families depend on the lake for a living and many of these families have children who need to be in school. In one of the journals I read about Laguna Lake, it is said that it is the "life and livelihood of small fishermen". The rehabilitation of the lake will help improve biodiversity and the lake's ecosystem. This in the end will provide the people more fish catch that can support their daily living.

Another ongoing project is "Enhancing Resiliency through Community Participatory Flood Observation for Lake Basin". This project aims to protect the people living around the Laguna Lake. According to JICA, this project will establish "an early warning system and craft long-term solutions to disasters like floods". It is known that recently, millions of Lagunense were badly affected by typhoons and Habagat (monsoon rains) like what happened in 2009 typhoon Ondoy and the Habagat in 2012 and 2013, which brought flood that lasted for months in some areas. This project of JICA will help people in our community become more prepared when calamities strike especially on where to relocate. On the part of the government, this would provide them an organized way of giving support and assistance. This would lessen injuries or worst death.

There have been calls to protect the Laguna Lake. Several years ago, hundreds of community-based youths and students from Laguna together with the local government units conducted a clean up activity wherein wastes from shorelines were collected and segregated. While solid waste is identified as only part of a bigger problem affecting biodiversity of Laguna Lake, according to news, it is one of the major sources of the pollution of the lake. This is the project that young students can take active part, how to lessen solid waste especially in the household and in school.

It is a great thing that as young people of our generation, we have learned about JICA and that we can be PARTNER in our continuous quest for development. Young individual like me can contribute to JICA's effort. First, by increasing awareness of JICA's assistance to Filipino people. Years ago, my first serious introduction to Japan's history in the Philippines is about how thousands people were killed, hundreds were wounded, and many were captured. Information about JICA as an organization, how they envision collaboration with different communities, how they continue to support Filipinos throughout the years changed my impression. This actually made me look forward to someday cooperate with them in helping my country. Increasing awareness of young generation about JICA's assistance through their projects can further strengthen Japan-Philippines friendship.

One step at a time, there are many ways to contribute in JICA's project that our generation can participate and contribute. This could be in JICA's project that aims to rehabilitate the lake. Young generation like me should be informed about environmental issues. Students must be taught the value of caring for the environment.

Since solid waste is one of the major sources of pollution in the lake then our participation and contribution will be focused on reducing if not eliminate the volume of solid waste. This will surely be worthwhile and will still be relevant to the next generation because in spite of the many programs on proper waste disposal, it remains a serious problem. According to research, people need to be educated about proper waste disposal and this should involve children and other household members.

Information campaign for proper waste management is one of the activities that can be held in the school. This activity can be participated by students, parents, and other participants. Our school can definitely spearhead. This way, we will be supporting JICA's project on rehabilitating the lake. It may be a small effort but taking the lead and setting a good example will encourage other communities to do the same.

The information campaign will include educating students about the importance of a clean surrounding and the proper way of disposing garbage. High school students like me can lead the campaign that will include pre-elementary pupils. Young as three years old should learn about it so that when they become old, the value of caring for the environment is already instilled in their mind. This will ensure that JICA's concern over the Laguna Lake is carried out until the next generation.

Lastly, my contribution could be in a form of recommendation to increase our generation's awareness of JICA. Several activities can be supported by JICA. One is a research project contest for high school that is focused on how people in the community can help in the conservation of our environment. Another is best school practice in waste management. In all those activities that JICA can possibly sponsored, my best contribution will be to participate and inspire young students to do the same.

If there is one that must take greater concern about our own environment, it is we who live in it. It is a good thing that other countries like Japan are unselfishly giving their support by sharing their knowledge and resources. It is high time we do our part. There is so much that JICA has given us and there are more. Surely, there are many ways we can do. It is for our country, it is for our fellow Filipinos. We, therefore must stand to cooperate and help.