Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to support the Marcos administration’s "Build Better More" program to help promote and strengthen the Philippines’ bid for an upper middle-income status country.
(From left) Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Mori Masafumi and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya (Photo from Embassy of Japan in Manila)
This support to the Marcos administration will be coursed through the Japan–Philippines High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation, which held its 15th meeting on Monday, March 24, in Manila.
“Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Mori (Masafumi) stated that through this Joint Committee, Japan intends to continue robustly supporting the Marcos administration's ‘Build Better More’ policy, which is a priority for the administration, through ODA (Official Development Assistance) and public-private partnerships, with an eye towards the Philippines' promotion to the upper middle-income status,” a statement from the Japanese Embassy in Manila said.
Aside from Mori, the meeting was also co-chaired by Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
During the meeting, Recto and Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) new Philippines Chief Representative Baba Takashi signed the following loan agreements: 46.34 billion Japanese yen (about ₱17.67 billion) for the Davao City bypass construction project, 45.76-billion yen (about ₱17.45-billion) financing for phase four of Pasig-Marikina River channel improvement, and 14.48 billion yen (about ₱5.52 billion) for Cavite industrial area flood risk management.
They also signed agreements for climate change action program’s subprogram two, where the Philippines secured 35 billion yen (about ₱13.35 billion) to enhance climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster preparedness initiatives; and 30-billion yen (about ₱11.44-billion) build universal health care (UHC) subprogram two, which will improve equitable access to quality health services, especially addressing gender-specific health concerns and the health impacts of climate change.
Japan’s government also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Marcos administration’s Build Better More program and its priority projects, among which were phase one of the delayed Metro Manila subway, North-South commuter railway (NSCR) projects, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) rehabilitation, Dalton Pass east alignment road, and Metro Manila priority bridges seismic improvement project.
The two sides “confirmed the steady progress” that support the Philippines’ development challenges in the field of disaster prevention, maritime safety, and infrastructure development.
The Philippines and Japan also discussed potential new collaborations, including projects like Central Mindanao high standard highway, second San Juanico Bridge, flood control and drainage project in Davao City, Parañaque spillway, and Magat Dam reconstruction.
Philippine and Japanese government officials hold the 15th high-level meeting on infrastructure development and economic cooperation. (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan)
They also agreed to collaborate on regional development, information and communications technology, and energy transition.
“Furthermore, in order to strengthen collaboration with the Philippines as an equal partner beyond mere support, the two sides exchanged views on how to support the Philippines in promoting to the upper middle-income status,” the statement added.
They also welcomed the signing last March 21 of loan agreements for five ODA loan projects in infrastructure, disaster prevention, and healthcare.
“Both sides confirmed that they would continue to maintain close communication through this Joint Committee and among relevant ministries and agencies, and elevate the Japan-Philippines economic cooperation to an even higher level through concrete cooperative projects,” the statement said.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippine Endo Kazuya also shared on X (formerly Twitter) about the Joint Committee meeting.
“Successfully concluded the 15th Meeting of the (Japan)–(Philippines) High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation here in Manila. As #PartnersInProgress, we’ve renewed our commitment to chart a path towards a prosperous future for all!,” he wrote.
The Philippine delegation included key economic officials, including Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, and Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano.
According to the Japanese Embassy in Manila on its Facebook page, Mori and the Japanese delegation visited the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line-1.
(Photo from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines)
Japan has supported the project through the construction of the Baclaran Expansion Depot in 2022, the provision of Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) in 2023, as well as the ongoing construction of the Cavite extension line that already partially opened with five stations last year.
For two decades, Japan has been the biggest source of ODA to the Philippines, spanning the presidencies of former president Gloria Arroyo, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and Rodrigo Duterte.
In 2021, the DOF said Japan’s total loans contracted and committed to the Philippines during the three administrations reached $14.139 billion.