Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya, signed two grant contracts on 19 March under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, totaling $594,447 (approximately P34.47 million).

The funds will support two Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International (OISCA International) and ChildFund Japan.

OISCA International will receive $177,056 for a project aimed at supporting the livelihoods of local communities in Northern Luzon and Northern Mindanao. The initiative will focus on extending and expanding sericulture, including training programs, the construction of a silkworm farm, and the establishment of a mulberry plantation in collaboration with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI).

ChildFund Japan will receive $417,391 for its project, “Bridging the Gap: Improved Healthcare Access through a New Barangay Health Station in the mountainous area of Davao del Sur.”

The initiative seeks to enhance healthcare access for Indigenous Peoples’ communities in Mindanao by building a barangay health station, equipping it with necessary facilities, and facilitating access to national health insurance.

Since its inception in 2002, the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects has funded 67 projects in the Philippines, amounting to over JPY 2 billion (approximately P779 million). Japan views these projects as a means to strengthen the partnership between the two nations while promoting mutual development.