MANILA - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has launched its first ever nationwide digital art contest in time for the Japanese-Philippine friendship month.

The art tilt is open to Filipino college students. Entries should depict how JICA projects contribute to sustainable development goals (SDG), which refer to the United Nations' global vision to help eradicate poverty in the next 15 years.

In line with SDG efforts, JICA has offered credit and infrastructure aid to some 300 agrarian reform communities in the Philippines.

The agency also built some 7,000 school buildings since the 1960s and rehabilitated about 10,000 elementary and secondary schools in the country.

It supported a water resource management program in Metro Manila, gave aid to upgrade power distribution in Mindanao and funded 11 transport infrastructure projects under the Duterte administration, among others.

"JICA began mainstreaming the SDGs within the organization in 2016," the agency’s senior representative, Aya Kano, said in a statement.

"We aim to contribute to achieving the SDGs and promoting international cooperation by sharing Japan’s experience and through Official Development Assistance to partner countries like the Philippines."

JICA's digital art contest will accept entries until September 17.

Top prizes include an iPad pro with an Apple pencil for first place, and Wacom drawing tablets for second and third place.

The competition was launched in partnership with ABS-CBN, the Embassy of Japan in Manila, the Japan Foundation, and media organizations Philippine Television Network, Inc., CNN Philippines, and Rappler.

Visit the JICA website for the competition's full mechanics.