On 19 November 2024, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Second Secretary NISHIMURA Tokiko attended the turnover ceremony for the “Project for Provision of Ophthalmic Surgical Equipment in Parañaque, Metro Manila.” This project was approved in 2023 under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP). In attendance were the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission, Inc. (FOLPMI) Chairman Emeritus Sr. Eva Fidela C. Maamo, Parañaque City Congressman Edwin Olivarez, Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez, Bacoor City, and other local government officials.
Cataracts continue to be the leading cause of visual impairment in the Philippines, affecting over one million people as of 2018. Regrettably, most patients find cataract treatments both unaffordable and inaccessible, as most ophthalmologists in the country practice in private health facilities. FOLPMI has been providing free eye consultations and affordable treatments to marginalized patients. However, their current equipment has already deteriorated and is prone to frequent malfunctions.
To address the situation, the Embassy of Japan provided a grant amount of USD 110,020, or approximately PHP 6.2 million, to FOLPMI. The said grant covers the procurement of one phacoemulsification machine and one LED operating microscope for the replacement of their current equipment.
In her message, Ms. Nishimura expressed her anticipation, knowing countless patients with visual impairments will soon see the world clearer and brighter.
This year marks the 70th anniversary since Japan initiated its Official Development Assistance (ODA). The Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) launched in 1989 and based on the concept of “human security,” is one of the ODA schemes that provides funding for projects at the grassroots level that directly contribute to improving the lives of people and for urgent humanitarian emergencies. These projects focus on basic human needs (BHN) sectors, such as education, health, medical care, water and sanitation, disaster prevention, and areas related to human security that require urgent attention. As the top ODA donor to the Philippines, Japan has implemented a total of 564 GGP projects in the Philippines. Japan has been actively engaged in a diverse range of initiatives, from large-scale infrastructure projects to grassroots-level support. Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and will contribute to fostering the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.
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