Philippines strengthens infrastructure partnership with Japan
By Trixee Rosel
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has strengthened partnership with Japan in expanding infrastructure projects in the country.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said the collaboration was the topic of the discussions with Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
He said the discussions include several key projects in the Philippines, including the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, spanning 45.5 kilometers, and the proposed Dalton Pass East Alternative Road Project in Cagayan Valley, covering 60 kilometers.
The groups also highlighted concerns about the San Juanico Bridge, which connects Samar and Leyte provinces; the First Magsaysay Bridge in Butuan City; and the Serging Veloso Osmena Jr. Bridge in Cebu City.
Sadain said efforts are currently being conducted to improve Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and enhance the flood control system in the Philippines, focusing on projects such as the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project and the Paranaque Spillway Construction Project.
The discussion also covered an overview of the initial study completed by JFE Engineering Corporation on the transfer of Japanese infrastructure maintenance technologies to the Republic of the Philippines.