On October 31, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya signed two grant contracts under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) at his official residence in Makati.
The ceremony was graced by Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar. The total grant amount of USD 223,997 (approximately PHP 12.8 million) will fund the construction of a one-story six-classroom elementary school building and a community center for children and youth in Cebu City.
Leading the ceremony, Ambassador ENDO reaffirmed Japan’s commitment as a trusted partner of the Philippines based on mutual respect and common goals. He also took the opportunity to highlight the distinctive features of GGP, noting its adaptability to local communities and its potential to empower future generations.
The two projects are the construction of a school building for Maungib Elementary School in Pura, Tarlac with the grant amount of USD 78,267 (PHP 4,472,960). The school suffered severe termite damage to its structure, posing the risk of collapse; and the construction of the Community Center for Children and Youth in Cebu City, with the grant amount of USD 145,730 (PHP 8,328,490). Through the GGP, Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc. will construct a new program facility in Cebu City, where they can provide needed support to low-income communities in a safe, relevant and accessible environment.
