Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko formalized the P289.6 million worth of grant aid—P204 million for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and P85.6 million for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)—under the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA).

DFA Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (left) and Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko (right) during the exchange of diplomatic notes on Thursday, June 9. (Photo courtesy of DFA)

As the Philippines’ top ODA partner, Japan will provide P204-million worth of medical equipment for 10 beneficiary hospitals in BARMM and 13 units of portable generations worth P85.67 million to the PCG under its Economic and Social Development Program.

Locsin and Kazuhiko exchanged diplomatic notes on Thursday, June 9, at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City.

“Japan’s provision of medical equipment for ten hospitals within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and 13 portable generators for the Philippine Coast Guard demonstrates Japan’s commitment to help uplift the lives of the Filipino people and enhance the country’s maritime enforcement capabilities,” Locsin said in his remarks during the signing ceremony.

Kazuhiko has the same sentiments, saying that he hoped the generators would improvement PCG’s law enforcement capabilities and that the medical equipment grant will boost the quality of health services in BARMM to give people a greater chance of leading healthy lives.

“In addressing the medical and socio-economic development needs in the BARMM region, I hope that more people will feel the dividend for peace extending from the peace process promoted by the Philippine government, and which the Japanese government is happy to support,” the envoy added.

The 10 beneficiary hospitals in the BARMM are the following: the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital, Sulu Provincial Hospital, Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Datu Blah Sinsuat Memorial Hospital, Tamparan District Hospital, Dr. Serapio Montaner Memorial Hospital, Datu Halun Sakilan Hospital, and Lamitan District Hospital.

They will receive medical oxygen pipeline systems, dialysis machines, oxygen generating systems, medical waste autoclaves, monitors and ventilators, among other equipment.

Japan is the Philippines’ top ODA partner, with its long history of support for Philippine development priorities spanning infrastructure, health, human resources, agriculture, education, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among many others.

On the other hand, PCG will receive generators will support the shore power supply requirements of the country’s vessels, including the 10 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs), which were procured and delivered under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase I partnership of the Philippines and Japan.

The new equipment will also benefit the Coast Guard District Stations, including those in BARMM (Cotabato/Polloc), NCR (South Harbor), Central Visayas (Central Cebu), Northeastern Luzon (Sta Ana, Vagayan), Northwestern Luzon (Pangasinan) Palawan (El Nido), Southeastern Mindanao (Davao), Southern Mindanao (Scalumpang), Southwestern Mindanao (Zamboanga del Norte), Western Visayas (Iloilo), Southern Tagalog (Batangas), and Northern Mindanao (Western Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro).

Officials from the BARMM’s regional health office – Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas, officer-in-charge) and Dr. Amirel Usman, director general, flew from Mindanao to witness the signing ceremony.

They were joined by Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.

PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, together with officers from the PCG, and Transportation Undersecretary and former PCG Commandant retired Admiral George Ursabia Jr. were also present during the event.

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