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Japan turns over new school building in Surigao City

By Alexander Lopez

February 14, 2020, 8:47 pm

<p><strong>FROM JAPAN, WITH LOVE.</strong> First Secretary Manabu Yasukawa of the Embassy of Japan (3rd from left) leads the turnover of a new school building to Bonifacio Elementary School in Surigao City on Thursday (February 13, 2020). Mayor Ernesto Matugas (4th from right) and other local officials graced the event. <em>(Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan)</em></p>

FROM JAPAN, WITH LOVE. First Secretary Manabu Yasukawa of the Embassy of Japan (3rd from left) leads the turnover of a new school building to Bonifacio Elementary School in Surigao City on Thursday (February 13, 2020). Mayor Ernesto Matugas (4th from right) and other local officials graced the event. (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan)

BUTUAN CITY – The Japanese government has turned over to the city government of Surigao and the Department of Education (DepEd) in the area a newly-completed two-storey, six-classroom school building.

The building was part of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) and in line with the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD), said First Secretary Manabu Yasukawa of the Embassy of Japan, who led the turn-over ceremony on Thursday (February 13) in Surigao City.

The event was also graced by Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas Jr. and top officials of DepEd in the area.

In a press statement sent to Philippine News Agency here on Friday (February 14), the Embassy of Japan said the school building will directly benefit 324 students of Bonifacio Elementary School in Surigao City.

The project was funded through a grant in the amount of USD156,892 or PHP7.7 million approved in 2017, it added.

“Numerous school buildings in Surigao City were severely damaged by the 2017 earthquake. Due to the lack of resources, the school had to use makeshift classrooms and conduct morning and afternoon classes to accommodate its students,” the Japanese Embassy said.

GGP was launched in the Philippines in 1989 with the aim of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. The embassy said GGP has already implemented 548 grassroots projects since the start of its implementation in the Philippines in 1989.

“Japan believes that these projects will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to sustaining strategic partnership between the two countries,” it added. (PNA)

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