Photo Gallery

Mr. Raymond Alvin N. Garcia, Vice Mayor of Cebu City delivering the closing remarks, expressing the city government's commitment to work hand in hand with the Japanese Government for the successful implementation of the project.

JICA, Cebu City, and MCWD commemorates the launch of a new project to improve quality of Cebu's water and hygienic environment

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently handed over the grant agreement to Cebu City and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) aimed at enhancing septage management through a 2-Billion Japanese yen JICA grant. Said Project for the Septage Management of Metro Cebu Water District will involve the construction of a 430 m3 septage treatment facility and provision of vacuum trucks, and operating system for septage management.

In the Philippines, the Clean Water Act of 2004 requires all local government units operating without piped sewerage systems to implement septage management. When septic tanks are not managed, water can get contaminated and consequently it may lead to deterioration of living environment and hygienic environment.

JICA has been supporting the Philippines in addressing this need through cooperation in environment management including water supply and sanitation projects in areas such as Cebu and Boracay.
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Mr. IDE Soichiro, Senior Representative delivering his message

JICA, Cebu City, and MCWD commemorates the launch of a new project to improve quality of Cebu's water and hygienic environment

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently handed over the grant agreement to Cebu City and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) aimed at enhancing septage management through a 2-Billion Japanese yen JICA grant. Said Project for the Septage Management of Metro Cebu Water District will involve the construction of a 430 m3 septage treatment facility and provision of vacuum trucks, and operating system for septage management.

In the Philippines, the Clean Water Act of 2004 requires all local government units operating without piped sewerage systems to implement septage management. When septic tanks are not managed, water can get contaminated and consequently it may lead to deterioration of living environment and hygienic environment.

JICA has been supporting the Philippines in addressing this need through cooperation in environment management including water supply and sanitation projects in areas such as Cebu and Boracay.
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Photo shows (From left): Atty. Earl M. Bonachita, Board of Directors, MCWD; Mr. Edgar H. Donoso, General Manager, MCWD; Atty. Collin N. Rosell, Cebu City Administrator; Mr. IDE Soichiro, Senior Representative, JICA Philippines; Mr. YAMAJI Hideki, Consul General of Japan in Cebu; Ms. Jodelyn May G. Seno, Board of Directors, MCWD

JICA, Cebu City, and MCWD commemorates the launch of a new project to improve quality of Cebu's water and hygienic environment

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently handed over the grant agreement to Cebu City and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) aimed at enhancing septage management through a 2-Billion Japanese yen JICA grant. Said Project for the Septage Management of Metro Cebu Water District will involve the construction of a 430 m3 septage treatment facility and provision of vacuum trucks, and operating system for septage management.

In the Philippines, the Clean Water Act of 2004 requires all local government units operating without piped sewerage systems to implement septage management. When septic tanks are not managed, water can get contaminated and consequently it may lead to deterioration of living environment and hygienic environment.

JICA has been supporting the Philippines in addressing this need through cooperation in environment management including water supply and sanitation projects in areas such as Cebu and Boracay.
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JICA sends quick response for quake-hit North Luzon, turns over disaster relief to DSWD (August 03, 2022)

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) turned over today the disaster relief goods to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the affected families of the 7.0 magnitude quake that hit Luzon. The support includes camping tents, sleeping pads, plastic sheets, generators with cord reels, conversion plugs, and portable jerry cans/water containers.

JICA Philippines Chief Representative SAKAMOTO Takema also said in a statement, "We pray for the safety of everybody. The Japanese people share the same thoughts and prayers. The relief goods are signs of genuine goodwill from our country. JICA as close bilateral partner of the Philippines reaffirms our support to our Filipino friends. Our disaster relief supplies are ready and Japanese experts are already on the ground, willing to share their knowledge and experience with Philippine frontline agencies involved in disaster management. Kasama nyo kami."

Present during the event were Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus Domingo, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Special Projects Rommel Lopez, and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko.

Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) is one of the components of JICA's operations in partner countries. In times of disasters, JICA acts swiftly as possible in response to requests from government agencies of affected countries and to support recovery efforts. In the Philippines, JICA provided essential disaster assistance through JDR during Typhoon Odette in 2021, Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991, and Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
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JICA-DENR project eyes new solution to waste management (June 29, 2022)

JICA, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a dissemination seminar on new solid waste management (SWM) technologies and practices to develop capacities of both national government and local government units (LGUs). The seminar forms part of the JICA-DENR technical cooperation project, Capacity Development Project on Improving Solid Waste Management through Advanced/Innovative Technologies that began in 2019.

The first session of the two-part seminar was participated by government and development organizations and various LGUs in the Philippines. There, they tapped expert advice from JICA Expert Team in learning systems and best practices primarily from Japan, as well as other countries.

"There are new technologies and good practices that can fill the gap in solid waste management. Supporting DENR's goal on waste reduction is one way of building a legacy of sustainable, livable environment for the next generation," said JICA Senior Representative EBISAWA Yo.
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DSWD receives JICA's disaster relief support for Typhoon Odette victims (December 24, 2021)

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the turnover of relief assistance to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the victims of Typhoon Rai (Odette). The support includes 30 generator units, 100 tents, 450 plastic sheets / tarpaulins, 527 sleeping pads, 500 pieces of portable jerry cans/water containers, 30 cord reels, and 60 conversion plugs for the generators.

Present during the turnover at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Compound were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko (second from left), JICA Philippines Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo (leftmost), Department of Foreign Affairs Acting Head of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs Myla Magnolia Fischer (second from right), and DSWD National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau Director Emmanuel Privado (rightmost).

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko expressed his hope that "this provision would contribute to the relief efforts of Philippine authorities and ease the burden of people in ravaged areas."

"Please be assured that we will not stop from here. This is time to pool our efforts together with the Government of the Philippines and international community," he added.

In a statement, JICA Philippines Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo also said, "We assure the Philippines that we will continue our development cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management, as we have done in the past, to further enhance disaster preparedness and resilience and towards building back better.

It can be recalled that when Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines in 2013, JICA was among those who provided early support up to full scale recovery and rehabilitation. Through Official Development Assistance (ODA), JICA has supported recovery by sharing Japanese experience and knowhow in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and supported rebuilding efforts of public facilities and livelihood through technical cooperation, capacity building, and quick impact projects.

As of late, JICA has also extended ODA support to the Philippines COVID-19 response and recovery through post-disaster standby loan, equipment for quality testing, and other follow-up assistance to past JICA health projects by working with Philippine partner health institutions and frontline agencies.
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DSWD receives JICA's disaster relief support for Typhoon Odette victims (December 24, 2021)

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the turnover of relief assistance to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the victims of Typhoon Rai (Odette). The support includes 30 generator units, 100 tents, 450 plastic sheets / tarpaulins, 527 sleeping pads, 500 pieces of portable jerry cans/water containers, 30 cord reels, and 60 conversion plugs for the generators.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko expressed his hope that "this provision would contribute to the relief efforts of Philippine authorities and ease the burden of people in ravaged areas."

"Please be assured that we will not stop from here. This is time to pool our efforts together with the Government of the Philippines and international community," he added.

In a statement, JICA Philippines Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo also said, "We assure the Philippines that we will continue our development cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management, as we have done in the past, to further enhance disaster preparedness and resilience and towards building back better.

It can be recalled that when Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines in 2013, JICA was among those who provided early support up to full scale recovery and rehabilitation. Through Official Development Assistance (ODA), JICA has supported recovery by sharing Japanese experience and knowhow in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and supported rebuilding efforts of public facilities and livelihood through technical cooperation, capacity building, and quick impact projects.

As of late, JICA has also extended ODA support to the Philippines COVID-19 response and recovery through post-disaster standby loan, equipment for quality testing, and other follow-up assistance to past JICA health projects by working with Philippine partner health institutions and frontline agencies.
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A boost to Philippine maritime security (December 03, 2021)　

The second of the two 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV) of the Philippines was launched in Shimonoseki Shipyard in Japan this week in a move to boost the country's maritime law enforcement, safety, and security. Said MRRV was the second vessel under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (Phase II) being implemented by the Department of Transportation for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) under the cooperation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The vessel was launched in a ceremony attended by Minister Evangeline T. Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq of the Philippine Embassy in Japan and President and CEO KITAMURA Toru of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. at the Shimonoseki Shipyard in Japan. Meanwhile, Transportation Undersecretary George V. Ursabia, Japanese Economic Minister NAKATA Masahiro and JICA Chief Representative in the Philippines AZUKIZAWA Eigo joined online.

JICA has been supporting Philippine maritime safety and security since the 1980s through capacity building of PCG personnel on search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and vessel maintenance and operations. Aside from the 97-meter MRRVs, JICA also assisted in providing ten 44-meter MRRVs to the PCG in 2016 to 2018 to help enhance Philippine maritime operations.
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Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III Contract Package 3 progresses, completion eyed by December 2020

Foreground from left: JICA Philippines Senior Representative KAWABUCHI Kiyo, Embassy of Japan Second Secretary Economic Section MATSUBARA Tomohiro, DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, and DPWH Roads Management Cluster Director Virgilio C. Castillo

Japanese and Filipino officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led the final concrete pouring ceremony for the JICA-assisted Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III in Bulacan seen to jumpstart socioeconomic development in surrounding growth areas of Metro Manila.

The Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III, with a total length of more than 24.61 kilometers when completed, is one of the nine (9) road projects that JICA is supporting under the Build Build Build program of the Philippine government. JICA lauded the government in moving forward said infrastructure project despiteCOVID-19 pandemic while ensuring safety and health protocols have been followed.

The road project, according to JICA will help divert some 15,000 vehicles that decongest the Philippine-Japan Friendship High Way, therefore, improving the mobility of agricultural products, boosting investments and jobs in new growth areas, and reducing travel time to as much as 45-50 minutes from the north to south.
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Japan's Yomiuri Giants, JICA back sports development for youth in Mindanao

Davao City – A member of Tokyo's professional baseball team Yomiuri Giants shares a light moment with a young baseball player from Davao and surrounding areas in Mindanao during the recent baseball camp meant to strengthen relations between Japan and the Philippines and development cooperation in Mindanao.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Department of Education (DepEd), Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School organized the baseball camp which was attended by 300 school children.

"Sports is considered to be a vital core of all human lives in ways that also help enhance human security," said JICA Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa. JICA's support in sports development also aligns with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including empowerment of youth, women, and communities. Along with the baseball camp, JICA and Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also held earthquake preparedness among the children.
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Japan's Yomiuri Giants, JICA back sports development for youth in Mindanao

Davao City - Tokyo's professional baseball team Yomiuri Giants pose with the youth baseball team of Buhisan Elementary School during the recent baseball camp meant to strengthen relations between Japan and the Philippines and development cooperation in Mindanao.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Department of Education (DepEd), Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School organized the baseball camp which was attended by 300 school children.

"Sports is considered to be a vital core of all human lives in ways that also help enhance human security," said JICA Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa. JICA's support in sports development also aligns with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including empowerment of youth, women, and communities. Along with the baseball camp, JICA and Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also held earthquake preparedness among the children.
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Japan's Yomiuri Giants, JICA back sports development for youth in Mindanao

Davao City - A member of Tokyo's professional baseball team Yomiuri Giants teaches the fine points of pitching and hitting with young baseball players from Davao and surrounding areas in Mindanao as part of a baseball camp meant to strengthen relations between Japan and the Philippines and development cooperation in Mindanao.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Department of Education (DepEd), Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School organized the baseball camp which was attended by 300 school children.

"Sports is considered to be a vital core of all human lives in ways that also help enhance human security," said JICA Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa. JICA's support in sports development also aligns with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including empowerment of youth, women, and communities. Along with the baseball camp, JICA and Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also held earthquake preparedness among the children.
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Philippine Coast Guard confers award to JICA for support to Philippine maritime safety and security

Japan's bilateral aid agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was recognized for its contribution to the capacity building of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) whose training programs are making an impact in the PCG's maritime law enforcement, security, and safety as well as marine environmental protection. The ceremony was held during the PCG's 118th Founding Anniversary in Manila this week.

Photo shows PCG Vice Admiral Joel Garcia (third from left), JICA Philippines Chief Representative Yoshio Wada, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, PCG Commandant Elson Hermogino, and other officials recognized during the ceremony.

JICA recently commenced a new project with PCG "Enhancement of the Capability of the PCG on Vessel Operation, Maintenance, Planning, and Maritime Law Enforcement " that aims to enhance the coast guards' self-reliance when it comes to operating and maintaining vessels for maritime safety and security. JICA has earlier assisted the Philippines in its maritime safety efforts through 10 Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) amounting to 16.455 billion yen. About 279 members of the PCG were trained on maritime safety and security policy, maritime search and rescue, marine disaster prevention and marine environment protection, ocean cruise training aboard JCG Vessel Kojima, arresting techniques coaching, and National Graduate Institute For Policy Studies (GRIPS) global governance program under JICA.
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JICA-assisted CNS/ATM project starts operations, seen to boost PH aviation

The Philippines' new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance / Air Traffic Management System (CNS/ATM) became officially operational recently. The project was completed with a 22 billion yen Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as part of efforts to build infrastructure for the country's sustained economic growth. The new CNS/ATM System is expected to lessen flight delays and promote safe, flexible air routes.

Photo shows Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Air Traffic Service Chief Atty. Antonio Gonzales (left), CAAP Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco (fifth from left), JICA Philippines Senior Representative Kiyo Kawabuchi, and Embassy of Japan Minister Makoto Iyori together with airline representatives during the ceremony at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center.

Under the project, 13 new radars were installed in places such as Aparri, Laoag, Cebu-Mt. Majic, Quezon-Palawan, Zamboanga, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, Mactan, Bacolod, Kalibo, and Davao.

CAAP Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco said that the project will enable "almost 100% coverage of the flight information region" consequently facilitating more definite air travels, reliable flights, and passenger safety.

JICA has been supporting the Philippine aviation industry since the ‘70s, with its ODA reaching 113 billion yen to date. This included the New CNS/ATM Development Project and the recently opened new Bohol Panglao International Airport.
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JICA, DENR inaugurate farm-to-market road in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija to boost farmers' market access, reforestation activities

A newly rehabilitated 3.7-kilometer farm-to-market road was inaugurated in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija recently as part of efforts to boost market access of some 350 upland farmers and support reforestation activities in the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve in Nueva Ecija. Said road is a subproject of an ongoing 9.2 billion yen loan agreement between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) called Forestland Management Project or FMP.

Photo shows JICA Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa (fifth from right), DENR Region 3 Executive Director Paquito Moreno, Jr., Pantabangan Mayor Roberto Agdipa, and other stakeholders at the inauguration and turnover ceremony.

FMP is a community-based reforestation and forestland management initiative in three of the country's river basins: Upper Magat and Cagayan, Pampanga, and Jalaur in Iloilo Province. JICA Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa said, "the road is vital in helping the communities and people's organizations in reforestation activities of the denuded portions of the watershed, including reducing costs and travel time in hauling the seedlings to the planting site."

For their part, DENR said the road will easily "connect farmers to market towns" significantly reducing transportation costs and post-harvest losses.

Aside from infrastructure, FMP also integrates conservation and development activities such as capacity building of people's organizations and communities in rehabilitating the watersheds.
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JICA, DAR turn over 22 agri infrastructure projects for farmers in Mindanao

As part of efforts to boost the productivity of Filipino farmers in Mindanao and integrate them in the supply chain, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the construction of farm-to-market roads, bridges, rural water systems, and post-harvest facilities for agrarian reform beneficiaries in Regions X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Southern Mindanao/Davao Region), and XII (SOCCSKSARGEN).

The assistance is part of an ongoing JICA project with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), co-implemented with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), called the Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development Project or MinSAAD. The project includes hard components (such as the construction of 265 infrastructure subprojects) and soft components (such as the conduct of agribusiness development training programs) meant to “catalyze growth in the agriculture sector and create jobs” according to JICA Senior Representative Ayumu Ohshima.

Photo shows (from left to right) Hon. Arthur Davin, Mayor of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; Hon. Donnabel Joy Ferolino-Mejia, Vice Mayor; Ms. Ayumu Ohshima, JICA Senior Representative; Minister Makoto Iyori of the Embassy of Japan (EOJ), Mr. Bernie Cruz, Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects of DAR; Mr. Norihiko Kuno, President of Sanyu Consultants; Mr. Eduardo Suaybaguio, DAR-MinSAAD Project Manager; and Ms. Cristy Dagdag, DAR-MinSAAD Engineer at the unveiling of the marker for Malawanit Bridge in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur held this Tuesday, July 2.

Following the unveiling of subprojects in Davao del Sur, a program for the en-masse turnover of MinSAAD subprojects in six (6) provinces, was held in Waterfront Hotel in Davao City. Aside from Davao del Sur, this covered Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Compostela Valley, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato.

DAR Secretary John Castriciones led the turnover rites along with Minister Iyori of EOJ and Ms. Ohshima from JICA.

As of 2017, total ODA of JICA in the Philippines allocated for agriculture amounted to about 295 billion yen.

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JICA continues to support sustainable peace and development in Mindanao

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the bilateral aid agency of the Government of Japan, recently launched a new technical cooperation project for the Bangsamoro in a move to build the capacity of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) during the transition to Bangsamoro government by 2022, and jumpstart economic activities in conflict areas.

The Capacity Development Project for Bangsamoro includes strengthening BTA's organizational and institutional capacity and improving the living conditions of the agricultural sector in the region. It also includes follow-up activities under a previous JICA project called the Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro or CCDP (July 2013 to July 2019).

Present during the signing ceremony were JICA Philippines Chief Representative Yoshio Wada (left) and BTA Interim Chief Minister Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim (right).

For more than 20 years, JICA has supported peace and development in Mindanao through the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) that implemented about 650 small-scale infrastructure projects for the community, trained more than 25,000 people in Mindanao's conflict areas, and fostered financial inclusion of farmers and other small shareholders in agriculture in the Bangsamoro region. More recently, JICA and the Philippine government signed the loan agreement for the 202.04 million USD Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao that will construct and improve approximately 100 kilometers of roads to boost connectivity in the region.
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Investing in Mindanao's road infrastructure to support peace and development

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippine government signed this Tuesday the 202.04 million USD Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao as part of the Japanese aid agency's support to building lasting peace and development in the region.

The project aims to boost connectivity in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao to help revitalize its economy and reduce poverty. The project will construct and improve access roads to arterial roads linking the main cities of Mindanao. The road segments in this project, approximately 100 kilometers, are identified under the Bangsamoro Development Plan II (BDP II), a collective vision among stakeholders for a just, lasting and inclusive peace and development in the Bangsamoro. The BDP II is a subproject of JICA's Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro that helped bridge development gaps in conflict areas.

Decades of conflict have slowed down Mindanao's socioeconomic development and said road project seeks to foster economic activity, ensure smooth commodity flow, and improve the region's accessibility.

Photo shows (from left to right) Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, JICA Senior Vice President Yasushi Tanaka, and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Dr. Hiroto Izumi during the signing ceremony at the eighth meeting of the Philippines-Japan High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation held in Clark, Pampanga.

Since 2002, JICA has been supporting peace and development in Mindanao. In 2006, the Japanese Government launched the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD), an umbrella program for peace and development projects implemented in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao and the surrounding areas of the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. In 2018, JICA provided an 18.3 million USD grant aid assistance to support the rehabilitation of Marawi.
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NEDA's Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency head De Vera receives JICA award

The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) head Joselito De Vera received this year's Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Award that honors Filipino public servants and organizations for their contribution to the strong relationship between JICA and the Philippines and impact of their work to development.

Photo shows JICA Philippine Chief Representative Yoshio Wada (left) and Mr. De Vera (right) during the presentation of the award at the JICA Philippine Office.

De Vera is executive director of the PNVSCA, an attached agency of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), created to converge and link volunteering efforts and resources aligned with the Philippine economic agenda. PNVSCA is a longtime partner of JICA in its JICA Volunteer Program in the Philippines where Japanese citizens live with different communities and implement development projects.

"In the end, our job is connecting a volunteer to a community, or to a beneficiary organization. It [International cooperation] is not just about building roads or providing equipment, but also building relationships between Japanese and Filipinos," said De Vera during the awarding ceremony held in Makati City last week.
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Metro Manila Subway Project breaks ground

In a move to attract investments and enhance seamless mobility of Filipino commuters, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-assisted Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) kicked off its groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City on February 27. The subway project is one of the key infrastructure projects JICA is supporting under the Philippines’ Build Build Build infrastructure program.

The subway project, identified under the JICA-National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development in Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas (2014), links Quezon City (Quirino Highway) in the north to Taguig City (Food Terminal Inc.) and Pasay City (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) in the south. Likewise, the subway project will use Japan’s railway design standards and is expected to make the typical north-south commute in about 30 minutes from the usual one to two hours travel time due to traffic.

Photo shows (from left to right) Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan, Valenzuela City Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian, JICA Philippines Chief Representative Yoshio Wada, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Vice Chairperson of the Senate Public Services Committee Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim, and Philippine National Railways General Manager Junn Magno during the groundbreaking ceremony.

JICA is one of the Philippines’ major development partners with its volume of cooperation amounting to about USD 19.57 billion in fiscal year 2017. It has more than 80 ongoing development cooperation projects in the Philippines cutting across various development sectors to promote sustainable economic growth, overcome vulnerability and alleviate poverty, and attain peace and development in Mindanao.
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JICA-assisted irrigation project in Visayas to boost PH agri value chain

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Province of Iloilo, and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) inaugurated recently the Sta. Barbara River Irrigation System in Visayas. The project is part of JICA’s 6.187 billion yen National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP) to help boost the Philippines’ agriculture value chain, improve rice productivity, and raise the income of Filipino farmers.

Photo shows (from top, left to right): JICA Philippines Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa, Municipal Mayor of Pavia, Iloilo Michael Gorriceta, NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Romeo Gan, NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya, Embassy of Japan in Manila Minister for Economic Affairs Makoto Iyori, TRIFIA Federation President Alexander Robles, Iloilo-Guimaras Irrigation Management Office Acting Division Manager A Randy Alipis, NIA Region 6 Regional Manager Gerardo Corsiga, and NISRIP Project Manager Silvino Navarro.

Agriculture is one of the subsectors that JICA is supporting in the Philippines, with about 295 billion yen of its Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the Philippines channeled for agriculture development as of 2017.
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JICA supports PH railway systems

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reiterates its support to the Philippine railway infrastructure system with the signing of the 38 billion yen Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3. About 350,000 Filipino commuters take the MRT every day and the JICA assistance is seen to help raise the train's safety standards and capacity.

Photo shows JICA Senior Vice President Yasushi Tanaka (right) and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez (left) during the signing ceremony this week. The development cooperation is part of JICA's support to promoting seamless mobility in the country while also distributing growth to other areas outside Metro Manila. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will implement the project.

Aside from the assistance to MRT 3 rehabilitation, JICA is also supporting other key railway projects in the Philippines, namely Metro Manila Subway Project, Capacity Enhancement of LRT Lines1 and 2, and the North-South Commuter Railway Project from Tutuban, Metro Manila to Malolos, Bulacan among others.
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Catalyzing inclusive growth in Mindanao's conflict-affected areas

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over recently various rural infrastructure (small irrigation, rural water supply, and rice and corn mills) to the Municipality of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and irrigators' and water users' associations in Barangays Libertad, Sinapulan, and Maligaya.

The infrastructure projects form part of the JICA-funded Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development (MinSAAD) Project, implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform. The MinSAAD Project aims to increase agricultural productivity, product value, and income of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and other small scale farmers in twelve (12) settlement areas in Regions X, XI, and XII covering seven (7) provinces in Mindanao.

Photo shows from left to right: Hon. Amirh Musali, Mayor of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat; Mr. Rodolfo Oreña, President of BUSIMA Water Users' Association; Mr. Jin Hirosawa, JICA Representative; and Ms. Sylvia Mallari, DAR Undersecretary for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects.
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JICA supports PH infrastructure program, signs ODA for new Bohol Panglao International Airport

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) vowed support to the Philippines’ infrastructure program under the Build Build Build agenda with a new 4.376 billion yen loan agreement for the new Bohol Panglao International Airport, making JICA’s total support to said airport amount to15.158 billion yen. JICA and the Department of Finance (DOF) signed the loan agreement this week to support the airport as new primary gateway to Bohol province and as first in the country to follow an eco-airport concept. Said loan is a supplemental loan in addition to the original loan signed in 2013 amounting to 10.782 billion yen.

Photo shows DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez and JICA Chief Representative Yoshio Wada during the signing ceremony at the DOF office.

The new Bohol Airport would be the fifth airport construction financed by JICA in the Philippines. In the past years, JICA also supported the construction of the Mactan Cebu, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), New Iloilo, and New Bacolod airports.
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JICA's support to Philippine maritime safety and security

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) vowed continuing support to the Philippine maritime safety and security during the commissioning ceremony of the last two of the ten 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) under the JICA-Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) cooperation Maritime Safety and Capability Project (MSCIP).

In addition to the project, amounting to 18.732 billion yen Official Development Assistance (ODA), JICA also provided capacity building of PCG personnel on search and rescue operations and maritime law enforcement. At the ceremony, JICA also reiterated strengthening the trusted partnership between JICA and the Philippines with the construction and delivery of two more 90-meter MRRVs in the next few years.

Photo shows MRRV-4411 or Cape Engaño at the commissioning ceremony in the Headquarters of PCG Manila.

Since the 1980s, JICA has been supporting the PCG through various ODA schemes including human resource development, enhancement of coastal communication system, and rehabilitation of buoys and lighthouses to name a few as support to Philippine maritime safety and security.
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JICA, DOH partnership on drug treatment and rehabilitation

The Embassy of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Department of Health (DOH), and Provincial Government of Cavite recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a drug treatment and rehabilitation center (TRC) in Trece Martires, Cavite. The TRC is a component of 1.85 billion yen JICA-DOH project Consolidated Rehabilitation of Illegal Drug Users (CARE) meant to give treatment support to recovering drug dependents in the Philippines and integrate them back to society.

The TRC will be constructed on a 5-hectare land donated by the Provincial Government of Cavite and is proposed to have a 500-bed capacity.

Photo shows (in front row, from left to right) DOH Dangerous Drugs Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (DDAPTP) Program Manager Dr. Ivanhoe Escartin, DOH IV-A Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo, Cavite Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, JICA Philippines Chief Representative Yoshio Wada, DOH Undersecretary Roger Tong-an, Congressman Luis Ferrer IV, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, and Assistant Secretary Aurora Ignacio of the Office of the President during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Aside from said projects, JICA has been supporting the Philippines' public health issues since the 1960s including maternal and child health services, building of hospitals and research institutes for infectious diseases, among others.
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JICA, PH sign ODA for game changing transport infra project

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Finance (DOF) signed recently a 104.53 billion yen loan agreement for the initial construction of the Philippines' first subway seen as a game changing investment in Philippine transport infrastructure development by helping address Metro Manila's traffic woes.

Photo shows (from left) DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez and new JICA Chief Representative Yoshio Wada during the signing ceremony at the DOF office.

The project, with an estimated total cost of 800-billlion yen is one of the biggest projects under the Philippine government's Build Build Build priorities on building infrastructure to attract investments and enhance the mobility of Filipinos. The subway project is the Philippines' first modern, underground mass transit and will use Japan's advanced railway technology and seismic design.

JICA Chief Representative Yoshio Wada reiterated JICA's support to the construction of the subway project for Philippines during the signing ceremony to sustain its growth and improve the quality of life of Filipinos through seamless mobility and connectivity.
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JICA's support to PH transport infrastructure development

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Finance (DOF) signed recently a 9.399 B yen loan agreement for the Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III to help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila and adjoining areas and boost the country's investments. The project, according to JICA, is composed of three phases to feature construction of 14.65 kilometer two-lane bypass road from North Luzon Expressway Balagtas Exit (First Phase); 9.96 kilometer bypass road from Phase I to Philippine Japan Friendship Highway in San Rafael, Bulacan (Second Phase); and expansion of the entire bypass road from two to four lanes at 24.61 kilometers (Third Phase).

JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito reiterated JICA's support to the Philippines' Build Build Build Program saying the arterial road bypass will "help create new growth centers outside Metro Manila and enhance mobility of many Filipinos. Photo shows (from left) JICA Senior Representative Tetsuya Yamada; JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito; DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez; Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar; and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia during the signing ceremony at the NEDA Office.
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(From left to right) Winners of the first JICA Philippines Photography Competition, "JICA and the Filipinos: Images of a Better Tomorrow", runner-up Robert Alvarez, 2nd placer Macbeth Omega, grand prize winner Jaime Singlador, and runner-up Carter Luma-ang receive their certificate of recognition from JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito

JICA fetes outstanding individuals, projects in PH

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) honored outstanding partners in the Philippines in an awarding ceremony held in Manila recently. The Philippines received the most number of commendations in a roster of 40 recipients of this year's JICA President Award given from the Tokyo Headquarters. The awardees are selected from thousands of JICA projects in about a hundred overseas offices including the Philippines.

Leading the awardees is National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan and projects on maternal and child health, Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Meanwhile, the first JICA Philippines Chief Representative Awards were given to JICA counterparts whose commitment to the project ensured sustainability and whose support to JICA projects contributed to the trusted relations between JICA and the Philippines.
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(from left to right) Philippine counterparts Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) represented by Planning Officer Teodora Briones, Mary Mediatrix Villanueva of Dios Mabalos Foundation, Former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Raul Asis, Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) represented by Executive Director Ryoji Sakamoto are also recipients of the first JICA Chief Representative Award for their steadfast dedication in the successful implementation of development projects and long-standing relations with JICA in the Philippines

JICA fetes outstanding individuals, projects in PH

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) honored outstanding partners in the Philippines in an awarding ceremony held in Manila recently. The Philippines received the most number of commendations in a roster of 40 recipients of this year's JICA President Award given from the Tokyo Headquarters. The awardees are selected from thousands of JICA projects in about a hundred overseas offices including the Philippines.

Leading the awardees is National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan and projects on maternal and child health, Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Meanwhile, the first JICA Philippines Chief Representative Awards were given to JICA counterparts whose commitment to the project ensured sustainability and whose support to JICA projects contributed to the trusted relations between JICA and the Philippines.
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Captain Rolando Punzalan, Jr., Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Plans, Programs and International Affairs receives the award on behalf of the Philippines Coast Guard for the comprehensive and continuous cooperation with the agency

JICA fetes outstanding individuals, projects in PH

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) honored outstanding partners in the Philippines in an awarding ceremony held in Manila recently. The Philippines received the most number of commendations in a roster of 40 recipients of this year's JICA President Award given from the Tokyo Headquarters. The awardees are selected from thousands of JICA projects in about a hundred overseas offices including the Philippines.

Leading the awardees is National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan and projects on maternal and child health, Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Meanwhile, the first JICA Philippines Chief Representative Awards were given to JICA counterparts whose commitment to the project ensured sustainability and whose support to JICA projects contributed to the trusted relations between JICA and the Philippines.
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(From left to right) Recognized for their roles in the successful implementation of the Project for Cordillera-wide Strengthening of the Local Health System for Effective and Efficient Delivery of Maternal and Child Health Services were the Province of Apayao, represented by Provincial Health Officer Mary Ann Canonizado, Province of Abra, represented by Governor Maria Jocelyn Bernos, Department of Health-Cordillera Administrative Region represented by Regional Director Lakshmi Legazpi and Province of Benguet represented by Governor Cresencio Pacalso

JICA fetes outstanding individuals, projects in PH

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) honored outstanding partners in the Philippines in an awarding ceremony held in Manila recently. The Philippines received the most number of commendations in a roster of 40 recipients of this year's JICA President Award given from the Tokyo Headquarters. The awardees are selected from thousands of JICA projects in about a hundred overseas offices including the Philippines.

Leading the awardees is National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan and projects on maternal and child health, Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Meanwhile, the first JICA Philippines Chief Representative Awards were given to JICA counterparts whose commitment to the project ensured sustainability and whose support to JICA projects contributed to the trusted relations between JICA and the Philippines.
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(From left to right) Receiving the awards for their agencies' and local government units' collaboration on the Project on Rehabilitation and Recovery from Typhoon Yolanda were Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero, Tacloban City Planning Officer Janis Claire Canta, Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, and TESDA Deputy Director General Rebecca Calzado

JICA fetes outstanding individuals, projects in PH

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) honored outstanding partners in the Philippines in an awarding ceremony held in Manila recently. The Philippines received the most number of commendations in a roster of 40 recipients of this year's JICA President Award given from the Tokyo Headquarters. The awardees are selected from thousands of JICA projects in about a hundred overseas offices including the Philippines.

Leading the awardees is National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan and projects on maternal and child health, Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Meanwhile, the first JICA Philippines Chief Representative Awards were given to JICA counterparts whose commitment to the project ensured sustainability and whose support to JICA projects contributed to the trusted relations between JICA and the Philippines.
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NEDA Undersecretary Rolando Tungapalan (right) receives the JICA President Award from JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito (left) for his cooperation with the works of JICA and promotion of international cooperation

JICA fetes outstanding individuals, projects in PH

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) honored outstanding partners in the Philippines in an awarding ceremony held in Manila recently. The Philippines received the most number of commendations in a roster of 40 recipients of this year's JICA President Award given from the Tokyo Headquarters. The awardees are selected from thousands of JICA projects in about a hundred overseas offices including the Philippines.

Leading the awardees is National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan and projects on maternal and child health, Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Meanwhile, the first JICA Philippines Chief Representative Awards were given to JICA counterparts whose commitment to the project ensured sustainability and whose support to JICA projects contributed to the trusted relations between JICA and the Philippines.
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JICA supports PH air transport infrastructure

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration of the 22-B yen new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems this week, seen to be a major milestone in the country's efforts in modernizing the Philippine air transport infrastructure.

Duterte thanked the Japanese government and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their contribution in helping improve the air traffic management system in the Philippines and for supporting the Philippines' Build Build Build agenda. The development cooperation includes installation of upgraded communications, navigation, surveillance/ air traffic management systems nationwide including en-route surveillance radars in Aparri, Laoag, Cebu-Mt Majic, Quezon-Palawan and Zamboanga and airport surveillance radars in NAIA2, Mactan, Bacolod, Kalibo and Davao.

Shown in photo are: (top, left to right) CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, President Rodrigo Duterte, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, and JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.
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Dr. Sachiko Ishikawa, JICA Senior Advisor, presented JICA's support for peace and development in Mindanao under the session, "Regional Development and the Peace Process"

Dr. Sachiko Ishikawa, JICA Senior Advisor, presented JICA's support for peace and development in Mindanao under the session, "Regional Development and the Peace Process"
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Undersecretary Diosita Andot from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process shared that sustained development initiatives are crucial to achieving peace

Undersecretary Diosita Andot from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process shared that sustained development initiatives are crucial to achieving peace
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JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito hands the certificate of appreciation to Dr. Mansoor Limba, Associate Professor of the Al Qalam Institute, Ateneo de Davao University for moderating one of the sessions

Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chair Ghazali Jaafar in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of the Bangsamoro Basic Law for the establishment of inclusive and equitable institutions, policies and programs to addressing the socio-economic and political issues and problems of the Bangsamoro people

Dean Macrina Morados of the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies, Professor Cristina Montiel of the ADMU Department of Pyschology and Mr. Ansarie Sultan, Pikit High School Teacher gave presentations on the topic, "Youth, Violent Extremism and the Peace Process"

More than 200 stakeholders from government, private sector, academe, development partners, and civil society groups attended the Way Forward: Beyond Peace in Mindanao Forum held recently in EDSA Shangri-la Manila to discuss issues and challenges in sustaining the peace building process in Mindanao. Organized by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), the forum complemented the ongoing efforts of the Philippine government to stay on course in the peace process and provide momentum for Mindanao's inclusive socio-economic development.

JICA has been supporting peace and development in Mindanao since 2002 implementing cooperation projects that impact on infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, livelihood, hydropower, and capacity building of local governments.
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JICA completes rehab of school buildings for Typhoon Yolanda

A group of young Japanese volunteers under the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited Osmeña Elementary School recently to share disaster lessons from the children's book "What Happens in Disasters," developed by the Department of Education (DepEd) and JICA to promote disaster awareness in schools.

Osmeña Elementary School is one of the seven (7) schools that JICA rehabilitated as support to the Philippine government's Build Back Better after Typhoon Yolanda. The school buildings were part of the agency's 4.6 billion yen grant aid for Typhoon Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation.
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JICA backs Philippines' science and technology development

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reiterated its support to the Philippines' science and technology development through its recent participation in the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) "Science for the People" exhibit during the celebration of the Philippines' S&T Week 2017. Since the 1960s, JICA has shared Japanese technology and know-how in various development areas in the Philippines particularly in disaster risk reduction management (DRRM).

Photo shows from left to right DOST Technology Application and Promotion Institute Director Edgar Garcia, DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña, JICA Project Formulation Advisor Erika Inoue, DOST Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Affairs Renato Solidum, and JICA Representative Akira Fukuyama.

The JICA exhibit featured recent examples of the agency's cooperation in raising disaster awareness, flood monitoring, weather forecasting, and transport packaging for micro, small and medium enterprises.
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Support to PH capacity building

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) signed this week a 264M Yen Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) to help build the skills and capacity of Filipino professionals in government. The initiative is aligned with the current administration's 10-point socio-economic agenda of enhancing the capacity of Filipinos.

Photo shows (seated from left to right) Director Bolivar Bao of the Department of Foreign Affairs, NEDA Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan, NEDA Secretary Ernesto Pernia, JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito and JICA Senior Representative Aya Kano during the signing ceremony together with former JDS scholars and JICA and NEDA staff.

The JDS will give opportunities to Filipino professionals in government to pursue post-graduate courses in Japan's leading universities. To date, 259 Filipinos have received the scholarship since it began in 2002. The Philippines is among the top recipients of the scholarship along with China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
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JICA-Philippines cooperation promoting cultural exchange, educational TV programs

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the People’s Television Network Inc. (PTNI) signed recently a development cooperation to boost cultural exchange and educational television programs in the Philippines.

Photo shows JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito (left) with PTNI General Manager Dino Apolonio (right) during the signing ceremony. The cooperation is a cultural grant aid from Japan involving the showing of 687 educational programs dubbed in English promoting disaster awareness, math and science education, traditional sports, and environment awareness among others. JICA’s support comes at the heels of ASEAN countries such as the Philippines shifting to digital broadcasting where programs featured are high definition images and people could receive transmission using their mobile phones.
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JICA Friendship Karate Tournament draws 120 Japanese, Filipino players in Manila

About 120 Japanese and Filipino karate players joined the first Japan International Cooperation Agency's (JICA) Friendship Karate Tournament in partnership with the Philippines'largest karate organization Kyokushin Karate-do Philippines held in Manila this week.

Players as young as 4 years old to more experienced adult black belters came from JICA dojo in the Philippines, Asian Development Bank (ADB), San Juan, Manila, Bulacan, Antipolo, Caloocan, Bataan, Quezon, and Cavite dojos. A Japanese volunteer Arai Kazuyasu under Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Program also did a traditional karate demonstration in the tournament and JICA partner for Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Projects, ACTION (A Child's Trust is Ours to Nurture) sent fighters as well to represent Zambales dojo.

JICA said the friendship tournament aims to promote stronger ties between Japan and the Philippines while offering insights into Japanese culture and traditions, including karate. Karate will be included for the first time as an Olympic Sport in the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

Karate is a traditional sport in Japan and has played an important role in the country's history and culture. As a sport, it promotes self-discipline different from the way it was conveyed in movies as combat form.
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Photo courtesy of Kalibo Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

Sharing Japan's experience in disaster education in Aklan

Japanese Professor Mari Yasuda (left) of Japan’s International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) shares before teachers and students a disaster education tool developed in Japan after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami called the Gensai Pocket. The tool containing DRR information like where to evacuate and what to bring during disasters was part of recent DRR workshop supported by the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Kalibo.

The Province of Aklan is vulnerable to typhoons and flooding. During Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, hundreds of people were affected and injured in the area. The focus of international support to Tacloban over other areas motivated Aklanons to institutionalize self-help and community help in DRR using past lessons and Japan’s experiences and methods.
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Support for Filipino farmers

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) concluded its Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project Phase III (ARISP III) recently. The project, which began its first phase in 1995, aimed to help raise the income of Filipino farmers through infrastructure and capacity building. The JICA-DAR project supported about 67, 987 agrarian reform beneficiaries and provided 436 small rural infrastructures to benefit agrarian reform communities (ARCs) in the country.

Photo shows JICA Senior Representative Yuko Tanaka (far right) receiving citation from DAR for JICA’s contribution and support to the Filipino farmers. Also in photo are (from left) Mr. Jin Hirosawa, Representative, Ms Celerina Afable, director of project management service of DAR, and Ms Sylvia Mallari, DAR Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office.
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JICA supports PH peace building efforts in Mindanao

As part of its continuing commitment to the Philippine government’s peace building efforts in Mindanao, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) signed this week a 771-million yen grant aid (about 340 million pesos) to improve energy distribution in Mindanao’s conflict-affected areas. The National Electrification Administration (NEA) of the Department of Energy (DOE) will implement the project meant to maximize energy usage and create more economic activities in the region.

Photo shows JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito (left) and NEDA Secretary Ernesto Pernia (right) during the signing ceremony.

JICA has been supporting Mindanao peace and development since 2002 through the Japan Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD), Capacity Building for Community Development in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) to cite a few of the agency’s development cooperation activities with the Philippines.
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(Photo by Edwin Tuyay/JICA)

From the battle field to rice field: 362 Farmers in Mindanao’s conflict-affected areas graduate from JICA-PhilRice training

About 362 farmers in former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps graduated from a training on upland rice-based farming technology, leadership, and management under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

The training is part of JICA’s Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro that aims to boost agriculture and improve public service delivery in Mindanao’s conflict areas.

Photo shows (from left to right) Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito, farmer leader Ibrahim Dimasangkay from Poblacion, Barira, Maguindanao, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, and Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chair Ghadzali Jaafar during the graduation ceremony held in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. Also present were Maguindanao Governor Esmaeil Mangudadatu, PhilRice Executive Director Sailila Abdula and BIAF-MILF Chief of Staff, Sammy Al-Mansoor.

Aside from capacity building, JICA has been supporting the peace process in Mindanao for more than a decade with over 70 community development projects under the ARMM Social Fund for Peace and Development and Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD).
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Former Filipina head of Metro Manila flood control receives JICA award

Former leader of the Effective Flood Control Operation System (EFCOS) Maxima Quiambao was named 2016 recipient of JICA Recognition Award for her outstanding contribution in the implementation and sustainability of the EFCOS project since 1989.
Quiambao was the only Filipino and one of three foreigners among 13 awardees to receive the award, which recognizes those "whose work contributes to developing human resources, society, and economy of developing countries." Her leadership in the EFCOS project was also symbolic of the trust of the Philippine government in Japan's cooperation in disaster management.
EFCOS established the Philippines' first telemetry system to monitor floods and communicate flood alerts. In 2016, Ms Quiambao spearheaded the rehabilitation of typhoon-damaged parts of EFCOS with support from JICA. "We should work together to continue and expand the EFCOS project to benefit the Filipino people," Quiambao remarked after receiving the award.
Photo shows Quiambao (right) receiving the award from JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito at an awarding ceremony in the JICA Philippines Office in Makati City and broadcasted simultaneously before JICA officials in the Tokyo office.
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(photo courtesy of Presidential Photographers Division)
Stronger Japan-Philippines development cooperation
In a move to further strengthen development cooperation with the Philippines, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) extends 4.9B yen Official Development Assistance (ODA) to support Mindanao's agriculture sector. The ODA, under JICA's yen loan scheme, will provide farmers, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other related organizations access to long-term credit under the project Harnessing Agribusiness Opportunities through Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship Supportive of Peaceful Transformation (HARVEST) in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). Photo shows Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2nd from left) and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte leading the official ceremony at the Malacañan Palace for the project together with JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito (far left) and LBP President Alex Buenaventura (far right). Ito said the financial inclusion of stakeholders in Mindanao's agriculture aims to attract more investments and create jobs in Mindanao's conflict-affected areas. Abe is in Manila to advance Japan-Philippines economic cooperation and bilateral ties.
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JICA beefs up support to PH maritime safety
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reiterated its continuing support to the Philippines' maritime safety and security and announced the dispatch of Japanese experts to train the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Photo shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito (right) during the recent 115th Anniversary of the PCG and commissioning ceremony of Tubbataha, the first of ten multi-response role vessels from Japan. Ito assured the President of JICA's continuous support to the Philippines' socio-economic development. Both parties also look forward to the President's forthcoming visit to Japan in a move to further strengthen Japan-Philippines bilateral relations and development cooperation.
JICA has been supporting the PCG since the 1980s through provision of rescue equipment, training facilities, communications systems, and maritime safety equipment as well as capacity building of PCG personnel.
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TESDA cites JICA’s support for rehab of training institution in Typhoon Yolanda area
The Philippine government through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) awarded the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) the 2016 TESDA Kabalikat Award under the Development Partner Category for helping promote technical education and skills development.
Photo shows TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong, JICA Representative Yoko Yoshida, Oriental Consultants Global Acting General Manager Atsuhiko Yamamoto and Embassy of Japan Labor Attache Hiroyuki Enoki. The Kabalikat Award is part of TESDA’s recognition program for outstanding individuals, organizations, and partners recognized for their contribution and support to promote and enhance the Philippines’ technical vocational education and training (TVET).
JICA through the Urgent Development Study on the Project on Rehabilitation and Recovery from Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitated two buildings of the Balangiga National Agricultural School, a TESDA training institution in Region 8 that was badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda. An additional one-storey Food Technology Building was also constructed and food processing tools and equipment were also provided.
JICA also trained around 200 technical vocational graduates and trainers of TESDA Region 8, local contractors, and engineers from local government units (LGUs) in Typhoon Yolanda areas on Japanese reconstruction and building skills. The JICA-TESDA cooperation also included production of training video and handbook that can be used by more than 2,200 TESDA trainees in Region VIII. Likewise, Japanese experts shared disaster-resilient construction techniques in the rehabilitation of BNAS.
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Building a world of solidarity
The Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) dispatched by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to nearly 150 countries for development work joined this year's roster of awardees in the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
JICA President Shinichi Kitaoka and former Japanese volunteer in the Philippines Kenichi Kubota received the award from Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo and Ramon Magsaysay Award Chair Ramon Del Rosario.
Robredo lauded the greatness of spirit and examples set by this year's awardees and cited the Japanese volunteers' contribution in promoting 'acceptance and tolerance to build a world of solidarity.'
The Japanese volunteers played a key role in helping restore the world's trust and friendship with Japan in the post-war years. To date, about 50,000 young JOCVs have been dispatched all over the world supporting over a hundred development fields or areas which include agriculture, science education, manufacturing, to cite a few.
In the Philippines, over 1,600 JOCVs were dispatched to more than 300 government agencies, local government units (LGUs), institutions, and communities since 1966. To date, Japanese volunteers have also been supporting disaster risk reduction (DRR), education, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and various community development activities nationwide.
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The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) turned over Y22M disaster relief items in the form of plastic sheets, sleeping pads, blankets, collapsible water containers, and water purifiers for Typhoon Ruby areas to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). JICA has developed hazard maps that the local government units in Typhoon Ruby areas used to minimize casualties. The Japanese aid agency’s shelter assistance in Albay, and the Balangiga National High School were used as evacuation centers at the height of Typhoon Ruby. Photo shows (l-r) JICA Philippines Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, and DSWD Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji.
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JICA turns over new NDRP to DSWD

JICA Project Formulation Advisor on Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Hayato Nakamura (2nd from left) turns over the new National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji recently. Photo also shows (Left) JICA expert on DRRM for the Office of Civil Defense Takaaki Kusakabe, and DSWD Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera. The new NDRP is a collective output of JICA and various government agencies meant to establish a coordinated response system under DSWD. The Plan also incorporates lessons from Typhoon Yolanda, and a separate NDRP is underway for earthquakes and tsunami disasters.
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Philippines thanks Japan for 60 years of Official Development Assistance (ODA)

Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan delivered the message of President Aquino reiterating the Filipino people's gratitude to Japan's assistance in Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation, in building socio-economic infrastructure, and in capacity building of thousands of Filipino scholars in Japan. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) implements Japan's ODA in the Philippines. Japan's ODA has reached 2.77 Trillion Yen ODA as of 2012.
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Continued support to Philippine development

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) vows continued support to Philippines' inclusive development agenda during the 60th Anniversary of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) attended by over 200 Japanese and Filipino diplomats and government officials held in Manila recently. Photo shows JICA Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa (left) and Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe (right) during JICA's anniversary celebration with stakeholders. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) implements Japan's ODA in the Philippines. Japan's ODA has reached 2.77 Trillion Yen ODA as of 2012.
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Sixty Years of Japan-Philippines Friendship and Cooperation

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) vows continued support to Philippines' inclusive development agenda during the 60th Anniversary of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) attended by over 200 Japanese and Filipino diplomats and government officials held in Manila recently. (Top left) Photo shows (l-r) Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Lilia de Lima, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Embassy of Japan Consul General Tetsuro Amano.

(Top right) Photo shows (l-r) Coast Guard Commandant Rodolfo Isorena, Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa, PCG Commodore Gilbert Rueras, Office of the President Deputy Executive Secretary Teofilo Pilando Jr., and Embassy of Japan Consul General Tetsuro Amano.
(Bottom left) Photo shows (l-r) Health Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa, University of the Philippines President Alfredo Pascual, Health Secretary Enrique Ona.

(Bottom right). Photo shows JICA Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa welcoming International Monitoring Team (IMT) Deputy Head Brigadier General Kushaimi Bin Zakaria. JICA has been supporting Mindanao peace and development by dispatching experts to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) that support the peace building process in conflict areas.
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Launching of JICA Commemorative Book on the Sixty Years of Japan-Philippines Friendship and Cooperation

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) vows continued support to Philippines' inclusive development agenda during the 60th Anniversary of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) attended by over 200 Japanese and Filipino diplomats and government officials held in Manila recently. Photo shows JICA Senior Advisor Juro Chikaraishi presenting the JICA Commemorative Book that features some 25 development projects of Japan nationwide.
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JICA Earliest Filipino Scholar Trainee

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) vows continued support to Philippines' inclusive development agenda during the 60th Anniversary of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) attended by over 200 Japanese and Filipino diplomats and government officials held in Manila recently. Photo shows JICA Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa conferring an award to JICA's earliest Filipino scholar to Japan Candido Astrologo Sr. Looking on (left) is Evangeline Lawas, also a former JICA scholar, and president of JICA Alumni Association of the Philippines (JAAP).
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JICA and the Millennial Generation

(Top) JICA Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa awards first place winner of JICA's First National Essay Writing Contest on the impact of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) to high school student Angel Joy Orpilla of Tabuk City National High School in the Mountain Province. Looking on are the essay contest judges (l to r) JICA Senior Advisor Juro Chikaraishi, Bernadette Neri, and Alfred Yuson

(Bottom) JICA Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa (far left) awards the student winners of JICA's First National Essay Writing Contest on the impact of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA). From left to right are Theresa Mae Villanueva of South Hill School, Inc. (fifth place); Krystel Iris de Castro of Recto Memorial National High School (fourth place); Katherine Anne del Rosario of Cavite National Science High School (third place); Luis Antonio Valdez of South Hill School, Inc. (second place); and Angel Joy Orpilla of Tabuk City National High School (first place). Also in photo are essay contest judges JICA Senior Advisor Juro Chikaraishi, Bernadette Neri, and Alfred Yuson.
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JICA-BTC sign MOU for Quick Impact Projects in the Bangsamoro

Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chair Mohagher Iqbal and Mr. Naoyuki Ochiai, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Expert on Peace Building Naoyuki Ochiai sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of JPY100M Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in the Bangsamoro Communities. The QIPs aims to drive inclusive growth in Mindanao and enable the communities feel the dividends of peace following the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro recently. Photo shows (from left to right) Bangsamoro Development Agency Executive Director Mohammad Yacob, Mohagher Iqbal, Naoyuki Ochiai, and JICA Chief Advisor for Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro Shinichi Masuda.

JICA, through the QIPs, will assist Mindanao's conflict-affected areas in constructing community multi-purpose halls, warehouses, solar driers, and other public facilities as well as in renovating and expanding school buildings. The QIPs will be implemented in addition to JICA's projects in Mindanao which include the "Rice-based Farming Systems Technology Extension Project" and planned "Project for Road Improvement in Bangsamoro for Inclusive Regional Development."
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JICA extends Y2.31-B grant aid to boost maritime safety and Cebu water infra

JICA Philippines Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa (right) and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan signed the grant agreements worth: 1) Y1.15B to boost maritime safety (project with Philippine Coast Guard); and 2) Y1.16-B to upgrade water infrastructure in Cebu (project with Metro Cebu Water District).
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JICA gives maternity waiting home to mothers in San Isidro, Leyte JICA's maternity waiting home in San Isidro, Leyte is meant to provide a safe waiting place to help avoid unsafe long distance travel for pregnant mothers during labor or after delivery.

JICA gives maternity waiting home to mothers in San Isidro, Leyte

JICA's maternity waiting home in San Isidro, Leyte is meant to provide a safe waiting place to help avoid unsafe long distance travel for pregnant mothers during labor or after delivery.
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JICA lends expertise to DPWH, LGUs to help in rebuilding Visayas post-Yolanda

Sharing Japanese and Filipino disaster resiliency stories. Speakers are (from left to right) Koichi Hashimoto (Private Sector Initiative on debris removal), Shuya Takahashi (Reconstruction Planning), Governor Joey Salceda (Zero Casualty Strategy in Albay), Alfred Arquillano Jr, (Community-based DRRM in Camotes Island) and Kimio Takeya (Build Back Better concept) .
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Japan shares knowledge, technology with Philippine police to boost public safety JICA Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki hands over the information materials on scientific fingerprint processing to PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima as part of JICA-PNP's Automated Fingerprint Identification System project.

Japan shares knowledge, technology with Philippine police to boost public safety

JICA Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki hands over the information materials on scientific fingerprint processing to PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima as part of JICA-PNP's Automated Fingerprint Identification System project.
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JICA turns over rehabilitated water facility in CDO

(First photo) Ceremonial switching of the rehabilitated water facility in CDO. (From left to right) COWD Board of Directors Chairman Ruben A. Vegafria, COWD General Manager Rachel M. Beja, LWUA Administrator Eduardo C. Santos, JICA Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki, Embassy of Japan First Secretary Ryutaro Aoki, and CDO City Councilor Roger Abaday.

(Second photo) The control panel of the rehabilitated water facility is one of the equipment turned-over by JICA to COWD. “We hope that the rehabilitated water facility will help set a standard in making public facilities and resources disaster-resilient in the country,” said JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki.
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$JICA and GOP sign agreement for ODA on maritime safety Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima (left) and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka (right) shake hands after the signing of \18.732 billion loan agreement for the construction of ten 40-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels to enhance the Philippine Coast Guard fleet operations and contribute to maritime safety, law enforcement, monitoring, disaster response, among others. $

JICA and GOP sign agreement for ODA on maritime safety

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima (left) and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka (right) shake hands after the signing of \18.732 billion loan agreement for the construction of ten 40-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels to enhance the Philippine Coast Guard fleet operations and contribute to maritime safety, law enforcement, monitoring, disaster response, among others.
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PH confers Order of Sikatuna to former JICA President Sadako Ogata

(First photo) President Benigno Aquino III conferred the Order of Sikatuna to former president of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sadako Ogata in ceremonies at Imperial Hotel in Japan last December 14 for her contribution in Philippine development, including her work in the following:
• Contributing to the socio-economic goals of the Philippines through Japan's official development assistance (ODA);
• Supporting the advancement of peace and development in Mindanao;
• Advancing bilateral strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines;
• Advocating human development and human security in the Philippines; and
• Mobilizing JICA in fulfilling Japan's emergency and humanitarian assistance to the Philippines during disasters.
JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki said JICA will continue the legacy of Ogata in pushing for lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

(Second photo) Attendees of the conferment ceremony (from left to right): DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo, Japanese Ambassador to Philippines Toshinao Urabe, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, JICA President Akihiko Tanaka, DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario, President Benigno Aquino III, Former JICA President Sadako Ogata, Husband of Madame Ogata and former Deputy Governor for International Relations of the Bank of Japan Shijuro Ogata, DOF Secretary Cesar Purisima, and DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.
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JICA reaches out to hard-hit remote disaster areas

The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), cited the urgency to reach out to hard-hit remote disaster areas and turned over relief items worth 60M Yen to towns of Basey and Guiuan in Samar; Palo, Tanauan, Ormoc, and Tacloban in Leyte. Using 4-ton trucks, JICA went to various barangays to deliver the relief items straight to the residents.
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JICA turns over 60M Yen relief to Typhoon Haiyan (“Yolanda”) victims

The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), cited the urgency to reach out to hard-hit remote disaster areas and turned over relief items worth 60M Yen to towns of Basey and Guiuan in Samar; Palo, Tanauan, Ormoc, and Tacloban in Leyte. Using 4-ton trucks, JICA went to various barangays to deliver the relief items straight to the residents.

JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki (leftmost) and Japan Disaster Relief Team Leader Iwakami Kenzo (rightmost) turn over emergency relief items to DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.
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JICA sends news batch of young Filipinos to train in Japan

JICA sent 34 young Filipinos to train in Japan last October 2013 under the Training Program for Young Leaders (TPYL) in a move to promote knowledge sharing between Japan and the Philippine. The training focused on community small and medium enterprise (SME) development; and industrial promotion and economic administration. The trainees stayed in Japan for 18 days from October 14 to 31, 2013.

Photo shows (sitting on the presidential table, left to right) Second Secretary and Labour Attaché Hiroyuki Enoki of Embassy of Japan, Senior Representative Kunihiro Nakasone of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Director Gerardo Abiog of Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) of Department of Foreign Affairs; and the rest of the TPYL participants.
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"Bayanihan Spirit": Japan's assistance to Bohol

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) distributed emergency relief items to Bohol last week in a move to support the province's recovery. A total of 150 tents and 485 blue sheets, amounting to 38 million Yen, will be used as temporary shelters for displaced families and as makeshift classrooms for destroyed school buildings.

JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki vowed to continue assistance by dispatching Japanese experts to rehabilitate roads and other infrastructure damaged during the earthquake. JICA, according to Sasaki, will work closely with DPWH and PHIVOLCS in enhancing the resiliency of Bohol's infrastructure and earthquake monitoring.

First photo shows (from left to right) Sagbayan, Bohol Mayor Ricardo Suarez, Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, JICA Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki, and DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman during the distribution of temporary shelter relief items in Sagbayan, Bohol.
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"Bayanihan Spirit": Japan's assistance to Bohol

Japan, through the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), vowed continued assistance to the victims of the Bohol earthquake. (From left to right) JICA Chief Representative in the Philippines Takahiro Sasaki, Ambassador Toshinao Urabe, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, and DSWD Disaster Reduction and Response Operations Division Chief Roel Montesa signed the Deed of Donation for the relief items amounting to 38 million Yen.
JICA is distributing the temporary shelter relief items to Bohol this week and said they will continue to share Japan's expertise and experience on earthquake monitoring and building resiliency with the Philippines through the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Sesismology (PHIVOLCS), and the Department of Public Works and High Ways (DPWH).
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JICA sends 20 scholars to Japan to pursue MS degree

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently granted 2-year Master's Degree scholarships to 20 young Filipinos under the Japan Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), part of JICA's Technical Cooperation scheme. The 11th batch of JDS fellows will be pursuing their degrees at Japanese universities including International University of Japan, Kobe University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Nagoya University, International Christian University, and Meiji University.

JDS is a long-term scholarship project of the Government of Philippines through the assistance of the Government of Japan. The objective of JDS is to provide Philippine nationals with opportunities for obtaining Master's Degree at Japanese universities in order to support the human resource development policies of the Government of the Philippines, and eventually to extend and strengthen the bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines. Nineteen government employees and one from Bangsamoro Development Authority , who are expected to play leadership roles in the Philippines, were selected this JFY 2013.

Photo shows 1) JDS Operating Committee Members from JICA, NEDA, Embassy of Japan, Civil Service Commission, and DFA; 2) Japan International Cooperation Center representative and supervisors of the scholars (front and middle row) and; 3) the accepted scholars (back row).
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Japanese teachers share experience to contribute to PH disaster preparedness

Marikina City– Eight teachers from Japan's Fukushima prefecture visited the Philippines recently to share their experience on the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake-tsunami disaster through a disaster preparedness event with some 100 high school students in Marikina.

The activity, Kaeru (Frog) Caravan, was organized by the Japan Foundation, Japanese non-profit organization PlusArts, and the Marikina City Disaster Risk Reduction Office. Students were taught disaster preparedness through activities conducted by around 15 booths. The booth of the teachers from Fukushima exhibited photographs illustrating the situation during and after the disaster, and the hazard maps used during the nuclear meltdown of three reactors in Fukushima.

The visiting teachers cited the importance of experience sharing since the Philippines is a disaster-prone country like Japan.
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JICA, DOJ sign agreement to promote compliance with PH's competition policy

Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki signed the Records of Discussion to formalize the agreement for the three-year implementation of the project on Capability-building for a Comprehensive National Competition Policy (Phase 2). The signing was one of the highlights of a two-day seminar on the promotion of a compliance program and advocacy activities held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on August 5 to 6, 2013.
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JICA hosts study tour for Japanese winners of essay contest Japanese high school and university students drop by the Blood Compact site, a famous tourist attraction in Bohol Island, as part of their study tour in the Philippines.

JICA hosts study tour for Japanese winners of essay contest

Japanese high school and university students drop by the Blood Compact site, a famous tourist attraction in Bohol Island, as part of their study tour in the Philippines.
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JICA hosts study tour for Japanese winners of essay contest Winners of the JICA International Cooperation Essay Contest visit the Tagbilaran City Central School in Bohol, where Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) Akiko Sugiyama (front row, seated) is currently providing technical assistance in the school's Special Education Program.

JICA hosts study tour for Japanese winners of essay contest

Winners of the JICA International Cooperation Essay Contest visit the Tagbilaran City Central School in Bohol, where Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) Akiko Sugiyama (front row, seated) is currently providing technical assistance in the school's Special Education Program.
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JICA sends 17 young leaders to Japan for rural dev't course

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently held a Pre-Departure
Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and send-off party for the selected participants of the Training Program for Young Leaders (TPYL) 2013-Rural Development Course. Seventeen participants from different parts of the Philippines gathered in the Holiday Inn and Suites in Makati for a two-day seminar; they were also given language training and an overview of the current situation of rural development in the Philippines. The participants flew to Japan on July 22 for the 18-day TPYL in Tohoku. Present at the send-off party for TPYL delegates were (back row, from left) Gerardo Abiog, Director, Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Kunihiro Nakasone, Senior Representative of JICA; and Dr. Junichi Nitta, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan.
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JICA signs new project in Mindanao as support to Bangsamoro gov't in 2016

(Second from left) Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Director Marlon Dedumo, Bangsamoro Transition Committee Chair Mohagher Iqbal, JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki, and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Secretariat Chairman Muhammad Ameen at the signing of ceremony for the Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro on July 25, 2013 in Cotabato City.
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JICA joins 159th Bohol Foundation Day JICA Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki (middle), along with outstanding Boholanos, were recognized by the Provincial Government of Bohol for their contributions to the province during the 159th Foundation Day celebration last July 23, 2013 at the Bohol Cultural Center.

JICA joins 159th Bohol Foundation Day

JICA Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki (middle), along with outstanding Boholanos, were recognized by the Provincial Government of Bohol for their contributions to the province during the 159th Foundation Day celebration last July 23, 2013 at the Bohol Cultural Center.
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Japan funds irrigation project in Quezon

Lopez, Quezon – Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki (leftmost), Department of Agrarian Reform Undersecretary (DAR) Jerry Pacturan (2nd from left), and Mayor Isaias Ubana II (2nd from right) led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Sto. Nino Pump Irrigation in Lopez, Quezon under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project Phase III (ARISP III). Once completed, the irrigation project will irrigate more than 46 hectares of rice paddies in the area. Through ARISP III, JICA aims to build or rehabilitate, among others, 111 irrigation facilities, build 677-kilometers of farm-to-market roads and 81 potable water sources, as well as boost connectivity of agrarian reform communities by establishing 54 viable agribusiness federations.
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Filipino, Japanese scientists work to conserve, manage PH's coastal ecosystems

The 2nd Bilateral Technical Workshop (BTW) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency's (JICA) Coastal Ecosystem Conservation and Adaptive Management under Local and Global Environmental Impacts in the Philippines (CECAM) Project was held on June 18, 2013 at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Around 45 Japanese and Filipino experts and researchers gathered to make an initial assessment of the scientific base of the project and help stakeholders (coastal communities, LGUs, the academe) to come up with policies to conserve and protect their seagrass, coral reef and coastal ecosystems. CECAM, a five-year project that began in 2010, seeks to combat biodiversity loss and mitigate the impacts of natural and human stresses along the coasts of Bolinao in Pangasinan, Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, Banate in Iloilo, Naawan and Laguindingan in Misamis Oriental, Laguna Lake and Boracay Island.

Photo shows (from first row, 3rd from left) Dr. Malou McGlone, Marine Science Institute Professor; Prof. Kazuo Nadaoka, CECAM Chief Technical Advisor; Dr. Marie Antonette Juinio-Meñez, Marine Science Institute Director; Dr. Miguel Fortes, CECAM Project Manager; Masahito Yano, Senior Program Coordinator from Japan Science and Technology, Singapore Representative Office; Sachiko Takeda, Senior Representative of JICA Philippine Office, and Flerida Chan, Chief of JICA Philippine Office Poverty Reduction Section (first row, 2nd from right).
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Project counterparts attend PCM seminar

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted an orientation seminar on Project Cycle Management (PCM)-based planning, monitoring and evaluation for implementing agencies last June 4-5 at the JICA Auditorium. Seventeen representatives from the Bangsamoro Development Authority, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Justice, Department of Trade and Industry, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and the Office of Civil Defense learned the process of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of JICA projects. In addition, they got pointers on how to write better project proposals based on JICA's requirements. The two-day seminar was held to build project counterparts' capability to handle projects from start to completion, enhance understanding of PCM, and encourage greater accountability in counterparts' respective programs and projects.
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MMDA, JICA hold workshop for ex-trainees

Makati City - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a one-day workshop that gathered former participants of disaster risk reduction management and environment-related training courses in Japan.
The activity, held at the Asian Institute of Management, aims to recapitulate lessons from training courses conducted between 2010 and 2013 and discuss possible applications in
Metro Manila development. With the participants are JICA Consultant Rey Gerona (seated, 2nd from left), Undersecretary and MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez (seated, 3rd
from left), and JICA Project Formulation Adviser Hayato Nakamura (seated, 2nd from right).
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Japan Funds Topographic Mapping of Mindanao

Manila, 23 April 2010 - Japan International Cooperation Agency Project Team Leader Yutaka Kokufu (third from left) exchanges today the signed minutes of discussion of the inception report for Topographic Mapping for Peace and Development in Mindanao with National Mapping and Resource Information Authority Administrator Peter N. Tiangco. The project shall produce an updated digital topographic map and GIS with a scale of 1:50,000 to help in development planning in Mindanao. The project falls under the bigger program, Japan-Bangsamoro’s Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development, or J-BIRD, which was launched in December 2006 to concretize Japan’s commitment to contribute to the peace process and development in conflict-affected areas in ARMM. /JICA PP
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ARMM Products Testing Center Turnover

Manila,23 April 2010 - (Left photo) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Representative Masafumi Nagaishi (fourth from left) and ARMM Social Fund Project Manager Atty. Nasser Sinarimbo (second from left) lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the turnover of the newly constructed Integrated Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory Building (right photo) located at the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City. The Php5.6-million facility was constructed through a loan agreement between the Japanese and Philippine governments and is intended to help local industries develop globally competitive products.
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The‘New Beginning’Exhibit of JOCVs for PWDs held at SM Iloilo

Iloilo, 11 March 2010 - Together with five JOCVs,, the Office of Persons with Disability Affairs (OPDA) organized an arts exhibition from February 24 ? 26, 2010 in SM Iloilo to promote welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs). The event was marked a success as more than 300 people visited the “New Beginning” exhibition.
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Agreement Signing of Study on Promotion of Local Industry in ARMM

Manila, 2 February 2010 - On top left: All four signatories for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) study on Promotion of Local Industry in ARMM sign the implementation arrangements in JICA Philippines on February 1, 2010. ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo (left on top right photo), ARMM Trade and Industry Regional Secretary Atty. Asnaira Batua (on lower left photo) and ARMM Agriculture and Fisheries Regional Secretary Lomala Balidong each shook hands and received the signed agreement from JICA Chief Representative Norio Matsuda.
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JICA Turns Over Water Tanks to Misamis Oriental community

Manila, 11 February 2010 ? Thirteen rainwater tanks, each with 10,000 liters capacity, were inaugurated in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental on February 11, 2009. Also included during the turnover are vegetable techno demo farm, nursery and vermiculture. These projects are supplemental projects under the Project on Enhancement of Local Governance and Community Empowerment in Microwatershed in Misamis Oriental (ELCEMM). Cutting the ribbon are Governor Oscar S. Moreno of Misamis Oriental and Mr. Akira Goto of JICA Davao Field Office. Looking on are Mayor Oliver Ubaub of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental and Mr. Yasuo Ohno of the Project Team.
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RP President Inaugurates Sarrat Bridge

1 February 2010 - Unveiling the Sarrat Bridge marker on January 27, 2010 are President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Ilocos Norte Governor Michael Keon Jr. and 1st District Representative Roque Ablan. The bridge was constructed under the on-going JICA ODA Loan Urgent Bridge Construction Project for Rural Development with the Department of Public Works and Highways. Sarrat Bridge serves as an integral farm-to-market road for nearby farming communities by providing a direct access to Laoag City which is a major trading area in the north, cutting the travel time of the residents by almost an hour.
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JICA Gives Nod at 2-Year Organic Farming Project

Manila, 27 January 2010 - (Seated from left) Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan and Mr. Jiro Shiwako, President of Japan Agricultural Exchange Council, sign the agreement for a two-year project to train farmers in year-round production of strawberry and vegetables with less chemicals. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provides funding support for the said project. Photo shows (standing from left) Benguet Vice Governor Cresencio Pacalso, JICA Senior Representative Kenzo Iwakami, Benguet League of Mayors Chairman Mario Godio, Department of Agriculture Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) Director Cesar Rodriguez and First Secretary Takehiko Sakata, Embassy of Japan.
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JICA Pushes for Disaster-Free Camiguin

Manila, 11 January 2010 - (From left) President and CEO Keiji Sasabe of CTI Engineering International Co., Ltd, Project Formulation Adviser for Mindanao Yukiko Sano of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Congressman Pedro Romualdo of the Lone District of Camiguin, Mayor Alex Jajalla of Mahinog Municipality and Chief Representative Norio Matsuda of JICA during the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Japanese Grant Aid on the “Project for Flood Disaster Mitigation in Camiguin Island” on January 7, 2010. Also present during the ceremony were Minister Tomichika Uyama and Second Secretary Hirosato Yoshino of the Embassy of Japan, Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin Province and Director Philip Menez of the Flood Control Project Management Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
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JICA Seals Agreement to Improve Earthquake and Volcano Monitoring of PHIVOLCS

Manila, 10 December 2009 - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Norio Matsuda (second from left) shakes hands with Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, Jr. after signing on December 8, 2009 the Grant Technical Assistance for Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on the 5-year project “Enhancement of Earthquake and Volcano Monitoring, and Effective Utilization of Disaster Mitigation Information in the Philippines”. On right is PHIVOLCS Director Renato U.Solidum, and on the left is Masaoki Shirai, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan.
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Cleaning Up Manila Bay

Manila, 9 December 2009 - Volunteers from local and foreign organizations including the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers of the Japan International Cooperation Agency heed the call to clean up Manila Bay on December 5, 2009. The campaign was organized by the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) and the Philippine National Volunteer Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) in celebration of the International Volunteering Day.
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JICA Signs P23-billion ODA Loans to LBP, DBP

Manila, 26 November 2009 - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signs yesterday the agreement for Agricultural Credit Support Project with the government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) (photo on left) and exchanges agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for Logistics Infrastructure Development Project (photo on right). Both agreements shall provide a total of 44.988 billion yen, or P23 billion, in new ODA loans. LBP President Gilda Pico (center on left photo) handed over the signed agreement to and DBP President Reynaldo David (left on right photo)exchanged agreements with JICA Chief Representative Norio Matsuda (right on both photos). Finance Secretary Margarito Teves witnessed both events as guarantor of the loans.
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JICA Constructs Social Service Infrastructures in Mindanao Manila, 11 November 2009 - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) donates on November 7, 2009 to a local people’s organization in Barangay Matiao a water system as part of the Quick-Impact Projects under the Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development in Conflict Affected Areas

JICA Constructs Social Service Infrastructures in Mindanao

Manila, 11 November 2009 - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) donates on November 7, 2009 to a local people’s organization in Barangay Matiao a water system as part of the Quick-Impact Projects under the Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development in Conflict Affected Areas
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JICA Turns Over a Water System Facility to a People’s Organization in a Conflict-Affected Area in Mindanao

Manila, 11 November 2009 - Barangay Matiao through the people’s organization (PO) receives on November 7, 2009 a water system facility as part of the Quick-Impact Projects under the Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development in Conflict Affected Areas (SERD-CAAM) Project of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In photo from left are Barangay Captain Wahidon Takasan, Mr. Napoleon Kuwaha from Pantukan Mayor’s Office, Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Chairman Parido Pigkaulan, PO Matiao Muslim-Christian Association Chairman Nestor Adonas and JICA Chief Representative Norio Matsuda.
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Local PO Receives Farm Implements from JICA

Manila, 11 November 2009 - Barangay Ompao receives a solar dryer and warehouse on November 6, 2009 as part of the Quick-Impact Projects under the Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development in Conflict Affected Areas (SERD-CAAM) Project of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). From left are Chairman Parido Pigkaulan of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), JICA Davao Field Office Representative Akira Goto, JICA Philippine Office Chief Representative Norio Matsuda, Mayor Samuel Uy of Tarragona, BDA Executive Director Danda Juanday and Barangay Captain Rogelio Rabango.
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PNP-JICA Conduct Fingerprint Processing and Crime Scene Investigation Seminar

Manila, 26 October 2009 - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Philippine National Police ? Crime Laboratory (PNP-CL) conduct a 5-day In-Country Training Program on “Scientific Method of Processing Fingerprints and Crime Scene Investigation” from October 19-23, 2009 to police officers from the Southern Police District Office. The training focused on the proper procedure of developing and lifting ten-prints and latent prints as well as processing crime scenes. The police officers were from Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa and Paranaque.
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JICA, PHIVOLCS Seal Talks on TCP for Improving Earthquake and Volcano Monitoring

Manila, 23 September 2009 - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) sign on September 17, 2009 the Minutes of Meeting for the five-year technical assistance that shall enhance PHIVOLCS’s earthquake and volcano monitoring capabilities. Standing from left are Mr. Chiaki Kobayashi from JICA and Mr. Delfin Garcia of PHIVOLCS; sitting from left: JICA Senior Advisor Kazuo Sudo, DOST Usec. Graciano Yumul, Jr.; and PHIVOLCS Dir. Renato Solidum.
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JICA Donation for Preventive Maintenance of Cebu Roads, Bridges

Manila, 3 September 2009 - JICA and DPWH Regional Office VII had the turnover ceremony for the Apparatus and Materials for Bridge Routine Maintenance in Lahug, Cebu City last 25 August 2009. The donated materials and equipment for the preventive maintenance of bridges are expected to contribute to the longer utilization of the road infrastructure in the region.
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