Japan International Cooperation Agency vows stronger support in PH development

In a recent article published by Philippine Information Agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA promises to strengthen its support in Philippine development through steady dispatch of Japanese volunteers under the development agency’s Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) project.

Currently, there are 1000 Japanese volunteers dispatched in the Philippines years ago, ranging from ages 20-39 years old. These volunteers have dedicated their lives for 2 years learning the local language, sharing the Japanese experience, and carrying out activities for socio-economic improvements.

The JOCV project is one of the strong points of Japan’s Official Development Assistance to the Philippines, promoting community development in secluded areas in the country. “We will continue to support, as we have done in the past, job creation and poverty alleviation in the Philippines,” said JICA chief representative Noriaki Niwa in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

Meanwhile, JICA is currently assisting the Philippines in the rehabilitation of the Yolanda-hit areas, construction of the new Bohol airport, expansion of rice farming, and development of small-medium entrepreneur industry. Recently, JICA has signed a loan agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines for an ODA loan amounting up to 4.928 billion yen for HARVEST (Harnessing Agribusiness Oppportunities through Robust Vibrant Entrpreneurship Supportive of Peaceful Transformation).

With this, Japan has remained the top donor to the Philippines to date, with 70 billion yen worth of assistance since 2012.

Sources: ABS-CBN News, Philippine Information Agency