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Philippine Embassy Encourages Young Filipino Civil Servants to Participate in Nation Building

The Philippine Embassy welcomed young Filipino civil servants who constitute this year’s batch of scholars under the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), a Japanese grant aid under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the support of Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), on 2 September 2019. The JDS Fellows are granted full Master of Arts scholarship to study in participating Japanese universities for two (2) years.

This year, there are 20 JDS Fellows from the Philippines who are among over 300 Fellows from 14 countries in Asia. They come from various government institutions in the Philippines, including the Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Economic Development Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Development Bank of the Philippines, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Philippine Ports Authority, the University of the Philippines Mindanao, and Mindanao State University.

Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V and DCM Robespierre Bolivar with the 2019 JDS Fellows

In his remarks, Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V encouraged the Fellows to become future leaders who promote the best interests of the Filipino people. He further urged them, as “the chosen few”, to make the most out of their education in Japan, drawing from the vast expertise and experience of the Japanese in their respective fields. Ambassador Laurel was joined by Deputy Chief of Mission Robespierre L. Bolivar.

Since 2003, the Philippines has been a beneficiary of the JDS. Over 300 Filipino civil servants, many of whom now occupy important positions in government have been trained under this scholarship program. These officials now help improve the country’s institutional capabilities, fostering development and securing broad social objectives and economic growth towards realizing Ambisyon Natin 2040 and beyond.

Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V exhorts the JDS Fellows to serve the best interest of the Filipino people.Joining him in welcoming the Fellows is Deputy Chief of Mission Robespierre L. Bolivar.

The JDS forms a crucial part of the Philippines’ strategic partnership with Japan and helps enhance the Philippine civil service.