JICA supports PH develop high standard highway network masterplan

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will support the Philippines develop high standard highway network masterplan to ease traffic congestion along national roads.
 (Photo: Japan International Cooperation Agency – JICA/Facebook)

MANILA — The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will support the Philippines develop high standard highway network masterplan to ease traffic congestion along national roads.

JICA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed Thursday the second phase of the Project for Masterplan on High Standard Highway Network Development that will cover the entire Philippines and identify infrastructure projects that will be implemented until 2040.

High standard highways are those that provide high level of traffic services assuring high speed mobility and safe travel to support economic activities in strategic regions and the country as a whole.

“The project complements the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte administration as it will define a comprehensive and quality highway network and infrastructure priorities in the entire Philippines, and revitalize economic activities at the regional level,” said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

Through this initiative, Ito said JICA also aims to support the Philippines in building resiliency against natural disasters “since the study will promote quality infrastructure, and identify emergency routes and road network redundancy.”

Among the projects implemented under the first phase of the study under public-private partnership and official development assistance (ODA) were the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway, Central Luzon Link Expressway, and Cavite-Laguna Expressway.

JICA has been a longstanding development partner of the Philippines in building socio-economic infrastructure since the 1970s.

About 45 percent of JICA’s official development assistance (ODA) portfolio supported Philippine infrastructure to enhance connectivity, facilitate trade and investments, and promote rural development.