On March 19, 2024, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines orchestrated the ceremonial handover of essential agricultural and fishery resources to communities in Bohol impacted by Typhoon Odette.
Leading the turnover event in Ubay, Bohol, was Tachikawa Jumpei, First Secretary and Agriculture Attaché of the Embassy of Japan.
The primary objective of this initiative is to rejuvenate livelihoods and enhance the resilience of farmers and fisherfolk affected by Typhoon Odette.
Attending the event were Ubay City Mayor Constantino Reyes, President Carlos Garcia City Mayor Fernando Estavilla, FAO Representative in the Philippines Lionel Dabbadie, officials from the Department of Agriculture, local government representatives, and project beneficiaries.
Typhoon Odette struck the Philippines in December 2021, causing significant damage, particularly to the agriculture sector.
Recognizing the urgent need for aid, Japan committed to a USD 2 million initiative in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to alleviate the hardships faced by farmers and fisherfolk in Bohol, Surigao del Norte, and Southern Leyte.
As part of this effort, 30 water pumps will be distributed to community-based organizations in the municipalities of Ubay, Mabini, and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia to assist farmers dealing with a 60 percent reduction in rainfall due to El Niño.
Furthermore, the project will provide ready-to-lay Bohol native chickens, known for their resilience to adverse weather conditions.
Additional agricultural and fishery resources include various lowland vegetable seeds, fertilizers, feeds, milkfish fingerlings, and sets of drift gillnets.
Beneficiaries will also benefit from capacity-building activities such as livelihood training and improved capabilities in climate information systems and early warning facilities.
The Japanese government hopes that this initiative will inspire affected individuals to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the devastation caused by the typhoon.
