Infra, disaster prevention among Japan-PH major tie-ups

The two governments are set to cooperate on the implementation of several development programs, such as railway projects, and improvement of roads and bridges. (PCOO PHOTO)

MANILA— Japan and the Philippines have committed to cooperate on infrastructure development in Metro Manila and the country’s regions, as stated under their major fields of cooperation.

The Japanese government affirmed it will “strongly support” the sustainable economic development of the country by extending quality infrastructure assistance, utilizing its funding and technology to the maximum extent.

Japan, in a joint statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Tuesday night, said this is to address issues arising from urbanization in Metro Manila, especially the serious traffic congestion and to vitalize other areas outside of Metro Manila expected to become hubs in the regions.

The two governments are set to cooperate on the implementation of several development programs, such as railway projects, and improvement of roads and bridges.

Japan will assist in the development and implementation of the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-
South Commuter Railway Project.

The Japanese government will consider “in good faith” extending a loan amounting to approximately
Y600 billion (around PHP271 billion), in proportion to the actual demand for funding of the subway project with an estimated total cost of Y800 billion (around PHP362 billion).

Japan said it plans to further extend support for the integral development plan of the North-South Commuter Railway covering about 180 km between Clark, Pampanga and Los Baños, Laguna, with the understanding that yen-loan would also be extended for this project.

Moreover, the two governments will finalize the basic concept for the establishment of the Philippine railway institute, including assistance for its physical construction as well as operational needs.

For regional development including improvement of roads and bridges, Japan said it would “swiftly support” the implementation of the Arterial Road Bypass Project (Plaridel Bypass).

The two states will be formulating concrete projects for vitalization of regional areas based on the review of the “Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas”, as well as the results of studies on the “Master Plan on High Standard Highway Network Development, ”the “Master Plan Study and Institutional Development on Urban Transport System Development in Metro Cebu Project,” and the “Davao City Infrastructure Development Plan and Capacity Building Project,” among others.

‘Enhancing resilience’

Meanwhile, in order to enhance the country’s resilience against natural disasters, Manila and Tokyo agreed to implement the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project.

In addition, latter assured it would accelerate project formulation for the Project for Developing Flood Forecasting and Warning System for Cagayan de Oro River Basin, the Project for Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement, and would study the possibility of project formulation for Paranaque Spillway Project in Metro Manila by conducting basic research.

Among others, it guaranteed swift formulation of its latest technical assistance, the Project for Master Plan and Feasibility Study on Flood Control and Drainage in Davao City in Mindanao.