2nd batch of caregivers-to-be off to Japan

MANILA, Philippines—Following the provisions of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), the second batch of 10 Filipino caregivers-to-be are scheduled to leave for Japan today, September 26, the Japanese embassy here said in a news release.

Minister Akio Isomata, Minister for Economic Affairs at the embassy, attended the send-off ceremony last Friday at the HEDC Building in UP Diliman.

According to the embassy, these Filipino candidate caregivers under the School Track stipulated in JPEPA will take a two- to four-year school course in Japan. Upon their arrival in Japan, all candidates will undergo six months of Japanese language training with the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS).

Thereafter, they will enroll in caregiver schools in Japan and will be qualified as careworkers upon completion of the course, it added.

At the send-off, Isomata said: “I don’t mean to frighten you but this training will be very intensive and fast-paced so that you can acquire adequate Japanese language skills in a shorter period as six months at the level with which you can work in Japanese caregiving facilities.”

“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this Japanese language training because whether or not you will be able to finish your caregiver school curriculum successfully depends on your Japanese language ability, as you are all aware.”

He suggested that to learn the language faster, the candidate-caregivers should mingle with the Japanese people.

“I also hope you will have yourselves fully immersed in the Japanese language environment, as well as in Japanese culture when you arrive in Japan,” he added.

The first batch of candidates under the school track went to Japan in September 2009 and is currently enrolled in caregiver schools.

The much-debated JPEPA has been effective since December 11, 2008.

JPEPA, Isomata said, would strengthen the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.

“We are neighbour-countries separated only by sea. And as you know, for a very long time in the history, there has been a continuous exchange of human resources and this has formed the basis of the good relationship between our two countries. Your visit to Japan will also contribute to increasing and maximizing such exchange,” he added. –INQUIRER.net