The Japanese government is funding a new PHP18 million development project to improve education facilities and support peace education at a rural area in General Santos in Mindanao, the Japanese Embassy said Tuesday.

Through this funding, Japanese non-government organization (NGO) ChildFund Japan will lead the replacement of dilapidated classrooms and the installation of sanitation facilities in Barangay Siguel in General Santos.

The grant contact, amounting to USD321,273 or approximately PHP18.92 million, was formalized by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya in a signing ceremony on March 17.

The embassy said the project aims to promote peace and multicultural coexistence through education and training for students of diverse ethnic backgrounds by helping them develop mutual understanding and dialogue skills.

Under the grant, teachers will also receive training on teaching methods that support regional peace and intercultural understanding. After the training, students will lead peer teaching, multicultural exchanges, and sports or recreational programs, ultimately contributing to peace and harmony in the community.

The project is funded under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, which has since awarded contracts for 2.092 billion Japanese yen or approximately PHP780 million for 69 projects in the Philippines.

“Japan believes that these projects will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of the Philippines and Japan but also bolster the existing strategic partnership between the two countries,” the embassy said. (PNA)