The Integrated Community-based Reproductive Health (RH) Project in the Province of Capiz was implemented with JOICFP support in line with the UNFPA 5th Country Program, and with the financial support of the Human Security Fund, from 2000 to 2004. The project was conducted in eight municipalities containing 40 barangays and covered 70,000 people.

On 18th January 2005, a turnover ceremony for the project was held in Capiz, led by the Japanese Ambassador, Ryuichiro Yamazaki, Provincial Governor, Vicente Bermejo, Executive Director, JOICFP, Sumie Ishii, and Representative, UNFPA, Zahidul Huque. Over 250 people attended, including the mayors of the municipalities, health staff, barangay captains and health volunteers.

Local leaders, health personnel and community volunteers
all celebrated the memorable event.

Governor Bermejo thanked the Japanese government, UNFPA and JOICFP for their support, and assured all the parties concerned that Capiz Province would continue the legacy of the project.

Speaking for JOICFP, Ishii said that the seeds of community-operated RH had been brought from Japan and nurtured and developed in the Philippines by the people's efforts and wisdom. She expressed her desire that the achievements and lessons from the project be replicated in the next UNFPA Country Program cycle, and she congratulated community leaders, health staff and community volunteers for the project success.

Sumie Ishii, ED, JOICFP presents a certificate
of turn over to the Governor Bermejo, Province of Capiz

On behalf of UNFPA, Huque, congratulated everyone on the project achievements, and commended the empowerment of community leaders and volunteers in meeting the health needs of the community.

Emphasizing bilateral relations, Yamazaki said that the project epitomized Japan's support towards enhancing the RH capability of communities in Capiz, and that he looked forward to it being replicated in other parts of the country.

(from left) Governor Bermejo, Ambassador Yamazaki,
Huque and Ishii.

Dr. Lydia Depra-Ramos, Regional Director, Center for Health Development Region VI, recognized the project for having encouraged communities to take an active role in the promotion and provision of health services. She emphasized the intense institutionalization and sustainability that made health workers become articulate and good advocates in gaining support of local officials as the secret for the success of the program.

Press conference

The ceremony was followed by a press conference attended by the main speakers as well as a male and youth volunteer. The event was broadcast on local television, and covered in many newspapers, some of which focused on how Japanese ODA improved people's lives in the Philippines.