JICA volunteer program marks 60 years, reaffirms cooperation with PH

The Japan International Cooperation Agency's (JICA) volunteer program, known as the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), marked its 60th anniversary with a celebration in Manila on August 28, 2025, reaffirming six decades of grassroots cooperation and friendship between the Philippines and Japan.

Launched in 1965, the JOCV program has since deployed about 58,000 Japanese volunteers to 99 countries. The Philippines was among the first recipients, welcoming 12 volunteers in 1966. Nearly six decades later, more than 1,700 Japanese volunteers have been dispatched to Philippine schools, local governments, and communities, strengthening people-to-people ties while addressing development needs.

The anniversary ceremony, hosted at the official residence of Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines ENDO Kazuya, gathered Philippine officials, current volunteers, representatives of partner institutions, and members of the Japanese Parliamentary Group for JICA.

During the program, JICA accorded plaques of appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) for their consistent support in facilitating volunteer placements across the country.

DEPDev Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos said the program has left a deep imprint on the Philippines’ development journey.

“The program has become part of our own story of progress. The true measure of this work is not only in the projects completed, but in the lives touched—both in the communities served and among the volunteers themselves,” he said.

He noted that volunteers have contributed in education, health, agriculture, community development, and environmental care. 

“These are not just programs—they are stories of people working side by side, sharing knowledge, and nurturing hope,” he added.

JICA Philippines Chief Representative BABA Takashi described volunteers as “grassroots ambassadors,” emphasizing their role in fostering trust and friendship between the two nations.

“Working passionately with communities...is our driving force behind every classroom taught in, every field tilled, every clinic supported, and every local project strengthened,” Baba said.

He invoked shared Filipino and Japanese values that underpin the partnership: kapwa (shared identity), bayanihan(communal unity), and Japan’s tasukeai (mutual cooperation).

Stories from the field

For current volunteer Yamamoto Shion, who serves at the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in La Trinidad, Benguet, the program’s impact lies in the bonds formed with local communities.

“At an event, a principal thanked me for teaching the students so much and said I am now part of the school family. As a foreigner, I felt truly honored and moved by those words. It made me feel welcomed and gave me renewed strength and motivation for my JOCV activities,” Yamamoto shared.

Leaders reaffirm friendship

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, in a message, praised the program for giving a “person-to-person dimension” to the Philippines-Japan friendship.

“I thank and salute the 1,700 JICA volunteers who have come to the Philippines since 1966 to help uplift our people. You have left your mark on us, and we will always be grateful for your invaluable contributions,” Zubiri said.

He added that the volunteers embody “the very best of the Japanese spirit” through their commitment to collective good.

A legacy of cooperation

Beyond individual stories, the JICA Volunteer Program has introduced pioneering projects in the Philippines—from disaster preparedness initiatives to sustainable farming methods and inclusive social services. Globally, it was recognized with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2016.

Ambassador Endo stressed that the 60th anniversary was not only a commemoration but also a reaffirmation of the program’s enduring role in bilateral relations. — BM, GMA Integrated News