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P R E S S S T A T E M E N T |
REMARKS
OF THE
HON.
DR. ALBERTO G. ROMULO
SECRETARY
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ON
THE SIGNING AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES CEREMONY
FOR
THE “HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP (JDS)”
OSEC
CONFERENCE ROOM, DFA BUILDING
8
JULY 2005
Your
Excellency, Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki
Representatives
from NEDA and DOF
Distinguished
Guests
Ladies
and Gentlemen
Good Morning.
I am pleased to sign with Ambassador Yamazaki the Notes on the two projects under the “Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS),” which is being implemented by NEDA under the auspices of the Grant Aid program of the Japanese Government.
On behalf of the Government of the Philippines, I thank the Government of Japan for the two grants totalling ¥445 million (US$4 million or PHP225 million) for this scholarship project. The first grant, worth about ¥101 million, will finance the travel, living and school expenses of the first and second batches of JDS scholars for the period of 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006. The second grant, amounting to ¥344 million, will cover the travel, living and school expenses for the fourth batch of JDS scholars for their entire four-year stay in Japan beginning this year until March 2009.
I am pleased to note the continued success of the JDS since its launch in 2002. It has provided Filipino students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge in the fields of public administration, economics, business adminstration, public health and information technology, and expertise. Our Filipino scholars can likewise share with their Japanese professors and classmates their creative ideas and unique experiences in their respective fields. The JDS has also made it possible for our Filipino scholars to build friendships and foster camaraderie with their Japanese counterparts. I am confident that this would translate to greater understanding and respect for each other’s culture among our young people.
Indeed, this grant has proven once again that Japan is a true friend of the Philippines in all aspects of the relations between our two countries.
To our good friend, His Excellency Ambassador Yamazaki, I wish to express once again our appreciation for the Japanese Government’s support for the Phlippines’ development strategies. I also wish to thank Japan for its active involvement and partnership in our country’s economic progress and stability.
May I now invite you all to join me in a toast to the continued success of the JDS, and to the spirit of friendship and close cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.
Mabuhay! Kampai!
END