As a representative of PAG-ASA Group, Japan, I would like to answer Joergen Jensen's query in his Dec. 30 letter, "Delivery cost of Philippine aid," and explain the importance of our annual monitoring visit. Selection of 40 children for The Japan Times Readers' Fund sponsorship is done by the ERDA Foundation itself and not by the PAG-ASA Group. Our monitoring visit is not involved with selecting the 40 children.
Apart from the donations given by organizations such as The Japan Times Readers' Fund, we have four Endowment Funds totaling ¥34 million entrusted to the ERDA Foundation, our partner nongovernment organization in Manila, which was designated separately for elementary, secondary, college-level students as well as street children.
It is absolutely necessary to visit Manila each year to appraise, budget and manage the funds effectively so that interest earnings can support as many needy children as possible. Also it is our responsibility to closely watch how the money is spent. Therefore, every year we visit schools and meet the children supported by donors like The Japan Times Readers' Fund and other organizations.
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