Remarks of the Hon. Edsel T. Custodio
Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs 

On the Occasion of the Exchange of Notes Ceremony on the Emergency Grant Assistance Pledge 
of the Government of Japan for the "Food-for-Work Programme"

Conference Room, Office of the Secretary, DFA
26 January 2007

Mr. Eiichi Oshima, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan;
Undersecretary Celia Yangco of the DSWD;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon! 

I am pleased to exchange with Chargé d’Affaires Oshima the notes on the Emergency Grant Assistance Pledge of the Government of Japan for the Food-for-Work Programme of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).  

The grant, which is worth ¥111 million or around PhP44.4 million, will go to the hundreds of thousands of families in Bicol who have lost their homes and livelihood due to the devastation brought about by Typhoon ‘Reming’ last November 2006. 

The Japanese grant assistance for the Philippines' Food-for-Work Programme hopes to meet the subsistence requirements of displaced individuals and families participating in or undertaking mitigation and rehabilitation activities in the communities affected. Having seen the clear urgency of the situation, our Japanese friends have made it a moral priority to extend the much-needed support. 

Moreover, I wish to mention that this is the first time the Japanese Government will be making a donation to the Food-for-Work Programme of the Philippine government, thus, providing us with a clear manifestation of our longstanding bilateral ties and bond of friendship. 

On behalf of the Philippine government, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation once more through you, CDA Oshima, for the support of your Government. 

END

/jay

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