The community of Bayanga Norte Elementary School in Matanog, Maguindanao can now benefit from the relocation and construction of two new school buildings worth PHP8.9 million funded through the Japanese government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Consul General Ishikawa Yoshihisa of the Consulate-General of Japan in Davao and First Secretary Okada Fumikai of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines led the turnover of two buildings with seven classrooms to Bayanga Norte Elementary School that will allow more students to study in a safe environment without spending long hours of travel just to go to school.

Matanog Municipal Mayor Zohriah Bansil-Guro, other local government officials (LGU) officials, Department of Education officials, teachers, selected students, and parents witnessed the event held on Aug. 31.

Originally established in 1983, Bayanga Norte Elementary School is a public elementary school in Barangay Bayanga Norte, Matanog, Maguindanao, and their dilapidated classrooms were regarded as unsafe for students.

The school did not have additional space for expansion to accommodate the increasing number of students, and many students will have to two to three hours to go to school.

To address these issues, the Embassy of Japan provided a grant of USD169,645 (approximately PHP 8.9 million) to the LGU of Matanog through GGP.

The grant covered the construction of one-story three-classroom and one-story four-classroom buildings at a new location nearer to the center of the community.

“We sincerely hope you will fully avail the opportunity to grow your potential in the new learning environment,” Ishikawa told the students and teachers.

He also wished that the community takes care of the facilities for the benefit of future generations.

As the top Official Development Assistance (ODA) donor for the Philippines, the Government of Japan launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help communities engage in grassroots activities.

Japan has been intensively implementing GGP and other ODA projects, especially in conflict affected areas of Mindanao, since 2006 to support the peace and development in Mindanao as part of Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD), with the total amount exceeding USD200 million (over PHP10 billion).

The project for the construction of classrooms for Bayanga Norte Elementary School in the Municipality of Matanog is the latest example of Japan’s commitment to friendship and strategic partnerships between Japan and the Philippines. (PNA)