Japan to fund P2.1-M literacy project in Agusan

MANILA, Philippines — Japan will fund a P2.1-million literacy project to help set up a literacy and training center for indigenous people in Agusan del Sur province. A grant contract agreement for the construction of a Community Literacy and Training Center for Indigenous Peoples was signed at the Japanese Embassy in Manila Friday. "With the grant, the literacy needs of these tribal peoples will be taken care of through Bamata, which will construct a one-story, two-classroom building in Barangay Binicalan, Agusan del Sur. The building will then serve as the venue for conducting programs on the language, health, capacity building and livelihood," the embassy said on its website. It said about 1,000 children of school age will be educated, while 2,500 community members will be empowered there, contributing to the development of these communities. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura and Banoaon-Manobo-Talaandig Tribal Council (Bamata) Inc. President Balvino Andaya signed the grant contract agreement. The project amounts to $43,626 (P2.1 million) was funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) to support the self-help initiatives of the grassroots sector, as part of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA). "Over the years, the Banowaon, Manobo and Talaandig have been suffering from isolation and displacement in the mountains of Agusan del Sur. Because of the lack or insufficiency of school facilities in these far-flung areas, the tribal people are, generally speaking, not able to enjoy proper education and technical training , resulting in the increase rate of illiteracy," the embassy said. It said this situation has limited their opportunity to avail themselves of decent, sustainable, and reliable livelihood activities and has forced them to rely on logging and farming for income. - GMANews.TV