The government of Japan has vowed to continue supporting the Philippines in its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts as both countries share the same fate as far as vulnerabilities to natural disasters are concerned.
"Japan and the Philippines are both vulnerable to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons, due to their climate, geography, and topography," the Embassy of Japan in Manila said in a statement after it turned over humanitarian assistance and disaster relief equipment to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, Oct. 4.
"As the top ODA (official development assistance) bilateral donor of the Philippines, Japan will continue to support the Philippines in its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the evolving threat of natural disasters," the embassy added.
Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko led the turnover of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief equipment at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Rescue vehicles, water purifiers, and search and rescue equipment were given to the PNP.
The equipment are expected to "contribute to saving more lives and reducing the cost and recovery time in the case of disasters."
The assistance package was funded by the government of Japan under the “Economic and Social Development Programme” worth JPY 2.5 billion which was signed on Nov. 13, 2017.
Japan has also assisted the Philippines in its massive rehabilitation of roads in the war-torn Marawi City by funding the repair of 18.97 kilometers of road in the city.
The Marawi Transcentral Road Phase 1, which covers over 10 road sections in Lanao del Sur, was inaugurated on Sept. 29.