Japan turns over P144-M for Agusan Sur projects

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Japanese and Philippine government officials spearheaded last week the simple turn-over rites of the P144-million development loan package of projects meant to spur economic growth in six towns of this province.

Mitsuhiro Ito, first secretary for agriculture at the Japanese Embassy in Manila, and Jun Wata­nabe, Philippine representative of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) handed down the Japan-funded projects to Agusan del Sur Gov. Valentina Plaza in a simple ceremony held at the Provincial Training Center in Patin-ay, in this capital town of the province.

Philippine government officials present in the turn over rites were DAR Undersecretary Gerondio Madueño, MINSSAD national project manager Percival Dalugdog, DPWH Caraga Regional Director Engr. Romeo Momo and other Agusan del Sur provincial officials. The projects formed part of the government’s Mindanao Sustainable Settlement Area Development which aimed to develop the agriculture sector especially helping agrarian reform beneficiaries in Mindanao.

MINSSAD project manager Percival Dalugdog said the project in Agusan del Sur is a development package providing infrastructure work, agricultural and environmental support, basic social services and institutional development interventions.

He said that the program is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agrarian Reform, the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur and Department of Agriculture.

The Japanese officials told newsmen in a press conference here that the projects were under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of Japan funded by JBIC.