President Aquino confers Order of Sikatuna on outgoing Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 26, 2014) – President Benigno Aquino has bestowed the Order of Sikatuna (Grand Cross, Gold Distinction) to outgoing Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe, who paid a farewell call on Malacañang Palace.

Urabe was accompanied by Japanese Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Tetsuro Amano and Political Minister Hironori Shibata.

Aquino cited Urabe for “his significant contribution to the peace process and development in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.”

The Order of Sikatuna is an Order of Diplomatic Merit conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Philippines.

Just this March, Urabe signed eight grant contracts with recipient organizations for various social development projects in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

These projects were funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects implemented by the Japanese Embassy as part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development.