Japan has provided the Philippines a P25.2-million worth of grant for the construction and procurement of various facilities and equipment across the country as Tokyo expressed commitment to help local communities for sustainable growth and development. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko signed on Thursday four grant contracts to help the government in the building of two classrooms in Negros Occidental and of Food Processing Training Center in Camarines Sur; and in the procurement of transportation vehicle for street children center in Batangas and of water purification system for Barangay Mabato, Batangas. According to Koshikawa, the projects were carefully picked  "from a large pool of applications" because of their "positive and immediate impact on your communities." The Japanese government pursued extending the grants as part of its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, which was launched by Tokyo in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities. In his speech, Koshikawa said Japan believes that GGP, although on a small scale, "makes significant contributions in directly empowering local communities by responding to the specific and growing needs of the people." "I am certain that these GGP project grants we will sign today will be of great benefit to your localities," he added as he noted that Japan and the Philippines already forged strong ties as in uplifting the lives of Filipinos through Japan's Official Development Assistance projects. The allotment of the P25.2 million grants are as follow: • P14.47 million for two-storey school building with comfort rooms in Ilog Elementary School in the Municipality of Ilog, Negros Occidental • P3.66 million for the Food Processing Training Center in Bombon, Camarines Sur that will provide the needed capacity building of local farmers • P971,428 for the provision of a transport vehicle for easier and safer activities for street children in Lipa City and neighboring towns, and • P6.17 million for the installation of a mobile water purification tank in Mabato Elementary School to provide clean drinking water to the locals during emergencies or disasters Koshikawa said the embassy is pleased to become the Philippines "devoted partner in improving the quality of life of every Filipino through inclusive development." "With your solid leadership and support, I am confident that our shared vision of a prosperous and empowered Philippines will soon come to fruition," he told the government officials present during the event.