The old Maungib Elementary School (MES) building in Pura, Tarlac had severe termite damage and leaks, with cracks and depressions on its floor. At such bad condition, there was a risk of the building collapsing. Its few toilets also hamper hygiene among the students.

To address the safety and health of the students, a new classroom building was constructed with funding under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects. The grant amounted to P4.5 million.

The new school building consisting of six classrooms, each with its own comfort room, was turned over to local officials on 13 July. The building will be used by pupils from Grades 1 to 6 and is expected to benefit approximately 100 students.

Japan Embassy Second Secretary Yurie Mukaigawa and First Secretary and labor attache Yuki Suzuki personally turned over the facility to Pura Mayor Atty. John Paul M. Balmores, local government officials, and MES representatives.

Mukaigawa emphasized that the new facility will provide students and teachers with a safer, more comfortable, and more conducive learning environment.

She also expressed her hopes that the classrooms will not only support the students’ education but also open more opportunities for their future.

After the turnover ceremony, students joined in a Japanese traditional Tanabata activity, where they tied colored strips of paper bearing their wishes to a bamboo branch. Through the activity, participants and students could wish for the further friendship between Philippines and Japan.

Through the project, Japan reaffirmed its continued commitment to support basic education and community development in the Philippines, particularly in underserved areas.

The government of Japan launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities. At present, 569 grassroots projects have been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between the two countries, and contribute to sustaining the strategic partnership between the two countries.