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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian: Japan PM visit will lead to stronger economic, security cooperation

Gatchalian: Japan PM visit will lead to stronger economic, security cooperation

Published Nov 3, 2023 08:08 am

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the Philippines will pave the way for stronger economic and security cooperation between the two nations, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.

“Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to the country couldn’t be more timely given recent developments (in the country),” said Gatchalian in a statement on Friday, November 3.

Gatchalian is referring to the Philippines' decision to withdraw a request for overseas development assistance (ODA) from China as well as the Chinese Coast Guard’s worsening aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), along with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, and other multilateral funding institutions have a long history of providing funding support for the Philippines, the senator noted.

Gatchalian also noted that Japan, ADB, the World Bank have successfully funded many projects in the country with concessionary interest rates and terms.

He said research conducted by his office shows that ODAs coming from Japan have favorable financing costs compared to those provided by China.

As of December 2022, the senator said JICA has active ODA grants totaling P9.8-billion, based on the consolidated audit report on ODA-funded programs and projects released by the Commission on Audit (COA).

These ODA grants to the Philippines from Japan include the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway Project, and Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Projects for the Philippine Coast Guard, he said.

The Prime Minister’s visit will also strengthen the two nations’ efforts in fostering regional cooperation amid China’s continuing aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Kishida arrived in the Philippines on Friday for a two-day visit that is aimed at boosting the defense and security ties as Philippines-China relations sour over its continuing dispute in the West Philippine sea.

The Japanese leader is also set to speak to the Philippine Congress on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

The Philippines and Japan are expected to discuss the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Japan’s defense forces and the Philippine military in order to ease the process of bringing troops and equipment into each other’s countries.

Japan is also expected to provide coastal radar systems and patrol vessels to the Philippines to bolster the country’s surveillance capabilities.

Related Tags

Japanese Prime Minister Official Development Assistance (ODA) Sherwin Gatchalian FUMIO KISHIDA West Philippine Sea (WPS) PH-Japan ties
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