Local road sector gets boost from Jica, WB

MANILA, Philippines—The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and the World Bank (WB) have teamed up with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to push for road sector reforms in the Philippines.

In a statement issued Thursday, Jica said these reforms will include the maintenance of the 500-kilometer Manila North Road (MacArthur Highway), which it will fund together with the WB. This project with the DPWH falls under the Road Upgrading and Preservation Project (J-RUPP) of Jica, and the National Road Improvement and Management Program Phase II (NRIMP2) of WB.

“Our collaboration with World Bank is an innovative way to tap the expertise and resources of the private sector in the long-term maintenance of roads and infrastructure,” Jica senior representative Eigo Azukizawa said in a statement.

“With this setup, we aim to upgrade the quality of roads, enhance people’s mobility and connectivity, and encourage investments in potential growth areas,” Azukizawa added.

Officials visited the site recently, which according to Jica, is a “good opportunity to learn from the WB’s experience in implementing a road project in the Philippines, and share expertise and information on sustaining the Philippine road sector.”

Jica also joined the WB technical workshop to discuss issues in the implementation of NRIMP2 and speed up its implementation.