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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider Japan hands over two-storey school building to Ilog Elementary School in Negros Occidental

Japan hands over two-storey school building to Ilog Elementary School in Negros Occidental

Published Feb 17, 2025 03:07 am
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Ceremonial turnover of key (From left) GGP Program officer Cora Legaspi-Shaw, Embassy of Japan First Secretary Suzuki Yuki, Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, Paul Alvarez, SB Member Ralph Alvarez, DepEd SDS Anthony Liobet, DepEd ASDS Julito Feliciano, BFP F/Supt Dennis Molo, DepEd PSDS Annabelle Alipo-on, DepEd Candonie OIC-PSDS Darlene Grace Malsi, and Ilog Elementary School Principal Joseph Villacampa.

On Feb. 4, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines First Secretary Suzuki Yuki attended the official handover of “The Project for Construction of School Building for Ilog Elementary School in Municipality of Ilog, Negros Occidental.” This project was approved in 2022, under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP). In attendance were Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, other key local government unit (LGU) officials, and school officials.

Ilog Elementary School serves 984 students with 38 teachers and is designated as an emergency evacuation center during times of disaster. The school's building, constructed in 1978, was in a hazardous condition, with collapsing floorboards, cracks in the interior walls, and a ceiling at risk of collapse due to severe deterioration. Furthermore, due to the large number of students in the area, the school has been accepting more students than the capacity of the school building. As a result, even the outdoor stage used for school events has been repurposed as a makeshift classroom.

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Unveiling of ODA marker (from left) Dep-Ed Candonie OIC-PSDS Darlene Grace Malsi, Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, Embassy of Japan First Secretary Suzuki Yuki, and BFP F/Supt Dennis Molo

As a remedial solution, the Embassy of Japan provided a grant of $247,228 (approximately P14 million) to the Municipal Government of Ilog. This grant funded the construction of a two-storey, six-classroom building, which includes seven toilets to meet the Department of Education’s requirements. The new building will provide a safe learning environment for students and will also serve as a temporary evacuation center, offering shelter to approximately 200 individuals from 40 nearby households.

In his message, First Secretary Suzuki highlighted that this new building would provide a safe and supportive space for the students. He also expressed hope that these new classrooms will not only enhance the students’ education experience but will also serve as a gateway to a brighter future.  

As the top ODA donor for the Philippines, the Government of Japan launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities. At present, 566 grassroots projects have been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries.
 

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