Japanese lawmaker supports PH development efforts
Published Aug 1, 2023 07:35 am
A ranking Japanese lawmaker has expressed support for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. administration's development initiatives, particularly in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure, defense and security and the Mindanao peace process.
During his Tuesday's meeting with the President, Hiroshi Moriyama, chairman of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League (JPPFL), said that Tokyo observed efforts being exerted by Manila in its development goals.
Japan's support came a day after the European Union (EU) also backed the Philippines' economic goals.
Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office
"Regarding the agriculture, we see — it is important and also the digital relation," Moriyama said. "We'd also like to see government-to-government (G2G) cooperation on strengthening the defense industry, which is a priority. That’s why regarding the OSA, Official Security Assistance, the Philippines is one of the first candidate countries for OSA," he also said, adding that Tokyo is also pleased to see the country's achievement on defense, particularly the implementation of joint training in the past months. On the other hand, Marcos shared with Moriyama that a strong agricultural sector is his administration's key priority to ensure food security and transform the economy. "It is something that we feel is important, not only for the survival of our populace, the food supply of our populace, but also it is necessary…..if the rest of our industrialization can continue, if the rest of our digitalization can continue, it must be based on a strong foundation of agriculture sector," the President said. Marcos asserted that Japan "has been a very strong partner of the Philippines," particularly in the transfer of technology, as well as support to Filipino farmers and the Philippines' agricultural sector. Regarding infrastructure and agricultural development, Marcos expressed his appreciation for Japan, which has been the country's partner for years through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). While on defense and security arrangements, Japan once again proved its close ties with the Philippines through various bilateral and trilateral arrangements, Marcos added. "The support that we are receiving from Japan in this regard, in terms of our equipment, in terms of our interoperability operations, are valuable, I think, for both our countries and I believe that we should strengthen that," he said. He noted the trilateral agreement that the Philippines and Japan have with the US, which he said is "going to certainly be another very important step forward" for peace and safety. "We should continue that and continue to be in partnership as we face the different, the volatile situation that we have in our region," he added. JPPFL is a parliamentary friendship association composed of members of the Japanese Diet across party lines. Formed in 1986 to advance legislative initiatives that promote positive engagement between the Philippines and Japan, JPPFL also leads Japan's cultivation of inter-parliamentary relations with Philippine Congress. The Philippines-Japan Parliamentarian Association (PJPA) was established in 1987 following the JPPFL's visit to the Philippines
Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office
"Regarding the agriculture, we see — it is important and also the digital relation," Moriyama said. "We'd also like to see government-to-government (G2G) cooperation on strengthening the defense industry, which is a priority. That’s why regarding the OSA, Official Security Assistance, the Philippines is one of the first candidate countries for OSA," he also said, adding that Tokyo is also pleased to see the country's achievement on defense, particularly the implementation of joint training in the past months. On the other hand, Marcos shared with Moriyama that a strong agricultural sector is his administration's key priority to ensure food security and transform the economy. "It is something that we feel is important, not only for the survival of our populace, the food supply of our populace, but also it is necessary…..if the rest of our industrialization can continue, if the rest of our digitalization can continue, it must be based on a strong foundation of agriculture sector," the President said. Marcos asserted that Japan "has been a very strong partner of the Philippines," particularly in the transfer of technology, as well as support to Filipino farmers and the Philippines' agricultural sector. Regarding infrastructure and agricultural development, Marcos expressed his appreciation for Japan, which has been the country's partner for years through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). While on defense and security arrangements, Japan once again proved its close ties with the Philippines through various bilateral and trilateral arrangements, Marcos added. "The support that we are receiving from Japan in this regard, in terms of our equipment, in terms of our interoperability operations, are valuable, I think, for both our countries and I believe that we should strengthen that," he said. He noted the trilateral agreement that the Philippines and Japan have with the US, which he said is "going to certainly be another very important step forward" for peace and safety. "We should continue that and continue to be in partnership as we face the different, the volatile situation that we have in our region," he added. JPPFL is a parliamentary friendship association composed of members of the Japanese Diet across party lines. Formed in 1986 to advance legislative initiatives that promote positive engagement between the Philippines and Japan, JPPFL also leads Japan's cultivation of inter-parliamentary relations with Philippine Congress. The Philippines-Japan Parliamentarian Association (PJPA) was established in 1987 following the JPPFL's visit to the Philippines