The Japanese government has donated US$ 6 million equivalent to Php 337 million to help Filipino farmers and fisherfolk in Mindanao and Visayas region to recover from the effects of Typhoon Odette that hit last December 2021.

In a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 31, the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines said the government of Japan contributed US$ 4 million to the “The project for Improvement of Agricultural and Fisheries Value Chain for Small Farmer and Fisherfolk in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)”.

The project implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) will help 7,500 farming and fishing households in BARMM to improve their livelihoods and bring stability to the local community.

“In order to ensure lasting and stable peace in the Bangsamoro region, it is vitally important that the people living in the Bangsamoro region first secure their own income and stabilize their livelihoods. Therefore, we strongly hope that this project will be successful and that this model will be extended to the rest of the Bangsamoro region for a better future deserved by all,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said.

The Japanese government also provided US$ 2 million for “The Project for Restoring Livelihoods and Enhancing Resilience of Farmers and Fisherfolks Affected by Typhoon”, a project implemented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The project will benefit 4,000 small coconut farming and fishing households in Bohol, Southern Leyte, and Surigao del Norte.

Apart from this, farmers and fishermen will also receive future-looking training for establishing disaster-resilient agriculture and fisheries.

“The Japanese government also believes that the two projects signed today with FAO and WFP are fully consistent with the goals of President Marcos’ priority policies of promoting agriculture and fisheries as well as strengthening resilience to natural disasters,” Koshikawa said.

“As a reliable partner, Japan will continue to provide maximum cooperation and support in accordance with requests from the Philippine government,” he added.

Koshikawa signed and exchanged notes for the two projects with World Food Programme Representative and Country Director Brenda Barton, and FAO Representative Sheila Wertz-Kanounnikoff in a ceremony at the Department of Foreign Affairs.