Japanese philanthropist builds schools in remote areas

MANILA, Philippines - A Japanese businessman who regards the Philippines as his second home has partnered with the military and the Department of Education (DepEd) for the construction of school buildings in far-flung areas.

The Armed Forces’ National Development Support Command (NADESCOM) said Katsutoshi Shimizu, 72, will support the construction of school buildings despite problems back home caused by a killer quake last March.

“I believe education is the key to success,” Shimizu was quoted by NADESCOM public affairs officer Maj. Emmanuel Garcia as saying. 

Shimizu, who founded the firm Shimizu & Co., Ltd. (Japan) in 1969, made some fortune in exporting ships to the Philippines. Garcia said the Japanese philanthropist regards the Philippines as his “second home country.”

The first school building built under the partnership of Shimizu and the government was turned over yesterday to education officials of Talisay, Batangas.

Army engineers from the 51st Engineer Brigade and troops from the Southern Luzon Command facilitated the construction of the building, which began last May.

The six-classroom building was formally turned over to school officials of Venancio Trinidad Memorial Elementary School in Talisay town.

The turnover rites were witnessed by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, Talisay Mayor Zenaida Mendoza, NADESCOM chief Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza and DepEd officials.

Holganza said NADESCOM fully supports the advocacy of Shimizu as well as the government’s aim to bring basic services to rural communities.

“We share the same advocacy in wanting to provide basic services to the people particularly to the young generations who need appropriate facilities for their education,” Holganza said in a statement.

NADESCOM data showed that the military had completed 1,700 projects nationwide from 2005 to 2010. These projects include school buildings, day care and health centers, rural electrification projects, barangay water systems and farm to market roads.

On the other hand, about 50,000 people have benefited from the development projects implemented by the military and private groups in the first six months of 2011. The 50,000 beneficiaries are residents of more than 100 poor barangays in far-flung areas, NADESCOM said.