Philippines gets $22-million grant from Korean aid agency

MANILA, Philippines - The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has given the Philippines $22.13 million for various agricultural projects.

In a statement, KOICA said they signed two agreements with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for $22.13 million worth of grant aid projects in the Philippines.

The first agreement covers the establishment of a data capture system and improvement of artificial insemination services at the Philippine Carabao Center, while the second covers the construction of water impounding facilities for irrigation in Isabela and Bukidnon as well as a rice processing center in a province yet to be identified. KOICA will provide a grant aid of $3 million and $19.13 million for both projects, respectively.

“This is a momentous occasion for KOICA because of three things. First, this is the first time since I came to the country early this year that we will be doing a signing ceremony for two very important projects. Second, the SWIP and RPC project will be the largest ever KOICA grant project in the Philippines, making this event truly historic. And third, both projects totaling over $22 million will be handled with the Department of Agriculture, one of our biggest partners in the Philippines,” said KOICA resident representative Kim Jinoh, who signed the agreements on behalf of the Korean government.

Kim pointed out that the agreements not only show how much KOICA values its partnership with the Department of Agriculture, but likewise demonstrate South Korea’s commitment to helping uplift the lives of Filipino farmers

The PCC project will take effect as soon as the exchange of a note verbale between the Korean Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs is completed, while the water impounding and rice processing center project still requires a record of discussions.

The amount covers the construction of buildings and other related facilities, provision of equipment, training for Filipino officials and staff in Korea and dispatch of Korean experts to the Philippines.