Phl, Japan ink pacts for 2 grant aid projects

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe recently signed and exchanged notes for two grant aid projects amounting to 439 million yen (approximately P189 million).

The 239 million yen (approximately 103 million) Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Project will cover the scholarship of 20 young officials from various government institutions, who are entering Japan starting academic school year 2014-2015.

The project aims to enhance the JDS fellows’ expertise in good governance, agriculture and rural development, financial reform and investment promotion policy, and peace and stability in Mindanao.

It also aims to help build a pool of future Filipino leaders who will contribute to the country’s overall economic development by returning and working here.

There are a total of 239 JDS fellows from the Philippines so far.

The remaining 200 million yen (approximately P86 million) is for a non-project grant aid for the Introduction of Japanese Advanced Products and its System (Medical Equipment and Welfare Apparatus Package) to provide Japanese medical equipment and welfare apparatus to public hospitals.