Manila, 28 July 2022 (TDI): A turnover ceremony was held between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA).
In the ceremony, JICA and PNVSCA highlighted the importance of the Japanese volunteers in advancing Japan-Philippine’s close ties and fostering sustainable and inclusive development in the Philippines.
🇯🇵JICA volunteers back in the Philippines🇵🇭#JICA and @PNVSCA_official in a ceremony highlighted the Japanese volunteers’ vital role in boosting Japan-Philippines close relations & in supporting sustainable & inclusive development in the Philippines.🤝
▶https://t.co/Y3PooIgGSZ pic.twitter.com/33AR0ei6yZ
— JICA Media (@jica_direct_en) July 27, 2022
PNVSCA is the Philippine government’s lead agency that coordinates volunteer programs, such as the vigorous JICA’s volunteer program, as a development strategy.
PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James Gawe said “”The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic disrupted most development programs including international volunteer services. In 2020, about 80 to 90% of international volunteers were evacuated back to their home countries.”
JICA volunteers back in the Philippines
The first batch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) is ready to work with communities and organizations after two years of COVID-19. JICA declared “we are back now.”
Gawe said “The return of the JOCVs this year is a welcome development for PNVSCA. Local partner institutions have been benefiting from the dynamic work of JICA volunteers through local development projects while strengthening the cooperation and relationship between Japan and the Philippines.”
The dedication of JOCVs over the years was evident in creative local projects that had a social impact on the community in a variety of fields.
JOCV works on agriculture business, design, health, disaster risk reduction, and management and provides assistance in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.
The PNVSCA and regional partner organizations were honored by JICA Chief Representative SAKAMOTO Takema for their support of the volunteers.
He said “Today, we are making history to open the new chapter of our partnership, as we now resume sending JOCVs again to the Philippines. JOCVs are a special part of JICA’s development assistance.
They are like frontliners contributing to the needs of our partners to work in diverse fields and share Japanese know-how and best practices with Filipinos.
They are bestowed with the privilege and responsibility of being ‘Grassroots Ambassadors of Goodwill’, and I believe they can achieve these purposes.”
Student of BS International Relations in Kinnaird College for Women. Currently, working in 'TDI' as a contributor.
