Pura, Tarlac – The Japanese government has transferred the ownership of a school building to the Maungib Elementary School during the Turnover Ceremony for The Project for the Construction of School Building for Maungib Elementary School in Pura, Tarlac on 13 July 2026.

Second Secretary and Grant Officer Mukaigawa Yurie, and First Secretary and Labour Attache Suzuki Yuki of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines turned over a one-story, six-classroom building for Maungib Elementary School, ensuring a safer environment for students and teachers.

To recall, the main classroom building at Maungib Elementary School in Pura suffered severe termite damage to its structure, including columns, ceiling and trusses above the ceiling, posing a significant risk of collapse. In addition, the concrete floorboards are cracked and sinking, and the roof has holes.

Through the GGP, the Japanese government awarded the Maungib Elementary School with a P4,472,960-grant for the construction of a one-storey six classroom building and comfort rooms that will provide a safer and more conducive learning environment for the students and teachers.

Mayor John Paul Balmores expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines for providing the students of the Maungib Elementary School a better learning facility, citing that this collaboration is a testament to the unwavering friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

He also thanked Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC) Engr. Abegel Pagatpatan for being the focal person in the awarding of the major school building grant to the Maungib Elementary School.

During the event, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held as well as the recreation of the Tanabata Festival in each of the six rooms of the new school building. Japanese Diplomats Mukaigawa and Suzuki helped students tie their wishes written on colorful pieces of paper to a bamboo plant inside their rooms.

The GGP is a flexible financial assistance scheme offered under Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) program to support small-scale development projects that directly benefit local communities.