Embassy of Japan in the Philippines First Secretary Suzuki Yuki on Tuesday attended the official handover of "The Project for Construction of School Building for Ilog Elementary School in the Municipality of Ilog, Negros Occidental."

The project, approved in 2022, was funded through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP). In attendance were Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, local government officials, and school representatives.

Ilog Elementary School, located in Ilog's town center, serves 984 students with 38 teachers. It also serves as an emergency evacuation center during disasters. The school’s original building, constructed in 1978, had fallen into disrepair, with hazardous conditions including collapsing floorboards, cracked walls, and a ceiling at risk of collapse. Due to overcrowding, the school has been forced to use its outdoor stage as a makeshift classroom.

To address this, Japan provided a $247,228 (approximately P14 million) grant to the Municipal Government of Ilog. The funds were used to construct a two-story building with six classrooms and seven toilets, meeting the Department of Education’s requirements. The new building will also function as a temporary evacuation center, providing shelter for up to 200 individuals from 40 nearby households.

In his remarks, Suzuki emphasized the importance of providing a safe space for students and expressed hope that the new classrooms would help enhance their education and open doors to brighter futures.

The GGP scheme, launched by Japan in 1989, aims to reduce poverty and support grassroots community projects. Since its inception, Japan has funded 566 such projects in the Philippines, strengthening bilateral ties and contributing to the countries' strategic partnership.