Former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo met with Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo in Bicol on February 24, reinforcing cooperation between local leaders and Tokyo’s development agenda.
Ambassador Endo traveled to Camarines Sur, where he and Robredo discussed existing initiatives and challenges in Naga City. They also highlighted the significance of this year as the 70th anniversary of Philippines‑Japan friendship and explored ways to strengthen people‑to‑people ties between Japan and the broader Bicol Region.
During the visit, Endo met with Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte and First District Representative Tsuyoshi Horibata to introduce the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The scheme supports small‑scale community initiatives and reflects Japan’s ongoing commitment to local development and cooperation.
A key moment of the trip was the turnover ceremony for “The Project for Procurement of an Ambulance for the Municipality of Sipocot.” The Embassy of Japan provided a grant of US$55,027 (about ₱3 million) to help Sipocot acquire a new ambulance.
Local officials noted that Sipocot’s existing ambulances responded to nearly 300 emergency cases and more than 200 non‑emergency cases last year, creating a pressing need for additional capacity. The new unit is expected to improve medical responses for the town’s 68,000 residents, especially when transport to distant hospitals is required.
In his remarks, Ambassador Endo said the ambulance will enhance the capacity of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and strengthen emergency response during and after calamities, ultimately saving lives and supporting community well‑being.
Japan remains the Philippines’ top source of Official Development Assistance (ODA), with the Japanese government launching the GGP program in 1989 to reduce poverty and empower communities through grassroots support. To date, 567 GGP projects have been implemented nationwide.
The meeting in Naga City formed part of the ambassador’s official visit to Camarines Sur, which included discussions with local officials and activities related to Japan’s community-level assistance programs in the region.
