Japan assures continued support to ‘Build Better More’ infrastructure program

MANILA: In his courtesy visit to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa expressed the continuous support of the Japanese government to the “Build Better More” infrastructure program of the Marcos administration.

The meeting was held at the DPWH Central Office in Quezon City on Wednesday, August 17. Sec. Bonoan and Amb. Koshikawa discussed how the two governments will work together to initiate more infrastructure projects.

“Hearing about all exciting new plans, I truly value the kind visit and am grateful for the time spent despite the busy schedule of the Japanese Ambassador,” Sec. Bonoan said.

Since 1966, Japan has been providing grants, loans, and technical assistance all over the Philippines, making it the largest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The Japanese government, through JICA, provides assistance to 13 major projects of DPWH, including the widening of 23-kilometer Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase 3 in Bulacan; maintenance of around 1,184-kilometer of arterial national roads under Road Upgrading and Preservation Project (RUPP); the construction of 30-kilometer Central Luzon Link Expressway (CCLEX) from the connection of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) in Balingcanaway, Tarlac City and ends at the Daang Maharlika Highway in Cabanatuan City; and construction of a four-lane, 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project.

The Japanese government also donated two billion yen (approximately P970 million) for the design and build of the 18.97-kilometer Marawi Transcentral Road Phase 1.

JICA has also provided financial support to the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-affected Areas in Mindanao (RNDP-CAAM), which includes around 174.50-kilometer access roads linking Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM) to other regions in Mindanao.

The Japanese government will also be financing the construction of Cebu-Mactan Bridge and the Coastal Road Construction Project.

JICA has also supported four sub-projects completed under the Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan River, Tagoloan River, and Imus River.

JICA is also funding ongoing flood control projects, including the channel improvement works for Middle Marikina River, Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan De Oro River, and Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project.

Japan has also provided financial support for the Metro Manila Interchange Construction Project Phase VI and Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project.

JICA also offered technical assistance for the improvement of DPWH’s feasibility studies and project proposals submitted for NEDA Board approval.

DPWH will be hosting a workshop on construction and maintenance of road tunnels in the last quarter of 2022. The workshop seeks to establish a strong foundation for joint ventures between Japanese and Filipino enterprises.

Photo from Department of Public Works and Highways

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