TOKYO, Japan — Japan will continue to be part of many of the country's "important undertakings" after its biggest bilateral aid agency renewed its commitment to assist the Philippines in its socio-economic development.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Tanaka Akihiko gave this assurance after he met with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday, Feb. 10, here.
During the meeting, Tanaka expressed JICA's full support to help the Philippines address its wide-ranging development needs.
He likewise reaffirmed the significance of JICA's cooperation with the Philippines, a long-time ally of Japan, and lauded President Marcos' recent meetings with Japanese leaders.
"Yesterday, I think you had a good conversation with the Prime Minister,” Tanaka told Marcos, referring to the President’s bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
Tanaka also hailed the signing of loan agreements under the Japan Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the North-South Commuter Railway Project (Malolos - Tutuban) II and the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project II.
"We’re now ready to proceed... other important projects, and we will do our best,” the Japanese official ensured.
For his part, President Marcos acknowledged that Japan serves as a top partner in "many of these important undertakings.”
"On behalf of my family, on behalf of my countrymen, we would like to thank you, and we look forward a continuing partnership in the future," he said.
“Of course, the transfer of technologies can help our countries... and this to a new area of partnership,” he added.
JICA serves as the world's biggest bilateral aid agency, with a presence in over 150 countries and regions, and has some 90 overseas offices worldwide.
It is also a top Philippine partner in socioeconomic development.