JAPANESE-ASSISTED WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS. The Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Local Water Utilities Adminisration (LWUA) launched recently through a ceremonial groundbreaking held in San Marcelino, Zambales a P100-million project to develop the water systems of the San Marcelino Water District (SMWD) and 19 other selected small water districts in the country intended to improve their water service and financial viability. Photo shows (from l to r) Takeshi Kanome, JICA assistant resident representative in the Philippines; Dr. Noriko Araki, health attaché of the Japanese Embassy; San Marcelino Mayor Lydia Rodriguez; SMWD general manager Gilbert Villena; LWUA deputy administrator Emmanuel Malicdem and JICA deputy resident representative Kenzo Iwakami leading the ceremonial groundbreaking. JICA will be providing grants in an average of P5 million each to the beneficiary water districts to finance their improvement projects.
c June 9 , 2007