Dominguez cites Japan’s strong support for infra program

FILE: Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III at the 51st Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting on May 25, 2018 (Photo: Department of Finance/Facebook)

DAVAO CITY — Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has underscored the “generous support” extended by Japan in helping jumpstart the Philippines’ ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, which is crucial to the fulfillment of President Rodrigo Duterte’s high and inclusive growth agenda.

Demonstrating Japan’s “steadfast commitment” to the “Build, Build, Build” program, as well as the Philippines’ other priority initiatives, is the signing of nine loan agreements between Manila and Tokyo since Duterte assumed office in June 2016, Dominguez said in a statement on Monday.

Several of these agreements involving infrastructure projects, Dominguez said, were processed and approved in a short span of three to four months, in line with the “fast and sure” approach adopted by both countries.

“This demonstrates our shared commitment to work closely to ensure that the Filipino people get to benefit from these projects at reasonable costs and at the soonest possible time,” said Dominguez at the start of his bilateral meeting with Japan Foreign Minister Tarō Kōno held on the afternoon of February 10 (Sunday) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here.

Minister Kōno said that on top of further strengthening bilateral ties with the Philippines, the government of Japan also remains fully committed to support the Duterte administration’s peace-building efforts in Mindanao and is prepared to expand its assistance to ensure the success of the peace process.

“We welcome the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law after the plebiscite in January. We have been supporting this peace process in Mindanao for more than a decade and we are ready to expand support as advancement of this peace process progresses,” Kōno said.

On behalf of the Japanese government, Kōno also conveyed his sympathies to the victims of the terror attack in Jolo last month.

“We strongly condemn any act of terror and that cannot be accepted and we would like to convey our sympathy towards the people and the government of the Philippines,” he said.