Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya on Tuesday signed a grant contract for the provision of disaster rescue boats to Ilocos Norte under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc received the total grant amount of $60,711 or P3,500,000 to fund the project titled “The Project for the Provision of Rescue Boats for Disaster Relief in Laoag City and Its Vicinity, Ilocos Norte.”

Each year, the province of Ilocos Norte suffers repeated damages from frequent typhoons. In 2024, the province experienced higher-than-normal rainfalls and 11 typhoons throughout the rainy season.

Through the GGP, the provincial government will be able to procure two rescue boats, which would strengthen the province’s disaster preparedness and rescue system in the event of flooding. This would thereby enhance the safety and security of the residents of Laoag City and its surrounding municipalities.

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

The project is the newest addition to the 567 grassroots projects that have already been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries.