The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has acknowledged the Japanese government for its assistance in helping the Philippines achieve sustainable development in its transport sector while taking part in the administration's Build, Better, More Infrastructure initiatives.
According to DOTr's Facebook post, the second meeting between the agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was held on Friday to tackle the transport agency’s ongoing infrastructure projects in the aviation, railway, maritime, and road sectors.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said that JICA’s assistance to the agency’s transport infrastructure programs will catalyze economic growth for the country through inclusive mobility and connectivity.
“We are thus sincerely grateful for your help to improve the mass transport system in our country,” Secretary Bautista said, addressing JICA Chief Representative to the Philippines, Takema Sakamoto.
He also said that the coordination meeting will greatly help the Philippines “position itself as a dynamic investment hub and an emerging gateway country to Asia.”
Meanwhile, JICA Chief Representative Sakamoto promised to be committed to continuing assistance to the Philippines' infrastructure development.
The Philippines is one of the top beneficiaries of official development assistance (ODA) from Japan.
It has been said that JICA is currently funding nine projects worth P1.5 trillion, or at least 14 loan agreements, in the Philippines, including the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), LRT-1 Cavite Extension, LRT-2 East Extension, and MRT-3 rehabilitation.
The bilateral agency is also extending funding assistance for the new CNS/ATM Systems Development Project, the new Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project, and the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phases 1 and 2 under the aviation and maritime sectors.
