Japan upgrades health center in North Cotabato

The Japanese government has turned over to local officials in North Cotabato a health center it upgraded at a cost of P3.4 million. Japanese Embassy First Secretary Tomonori Kikuchi turned over the health center in Libungan town to local officials led by Mayor Manuel dela Serna. "This health facility is quite special because this is actually the first health facility project to be funded by the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development or J-BIRD. J-BIRD represents Japan's commitment in the peace and development efforts in Mindanao," Kikuchi said. He said the quality of health services will improve now that the health center is more spacious and the medical equipment have been upgraded. "I strongly hope this project will benefit all the people who use this health unit and realize the target of quality health services to all," he said. The project was funded through the Japanese Embassy's GGP with a grant of $72,469 (P3.4 million), the Japanese Embassy said. Libungan Regional Health Unit (RHU) was constructed in 1976 and is one of the oldest health facilities in North Cotabato. Japan launched the J-BIRD program in December 2006 as part of its commitment to support peace and development efforts in Mindanao. The J-BIRD has assisted the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, training centers, health centers and water supply systems through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. As of March 2010, some 40 grassroots projects, worth around $2.8 million, have been implemented under the J-BIRD program. –VVP, GMANews.TV