Jica vows to continue supporting PH

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has committed to further strengthen its development cooperation activities with the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We look forward to continuing the positive relations between Japan and the Philippines through development cooperation and aim to take the partnership to a new level that will mutually benefit both our people,” Jica chief representative Susumu Ito said in a statement.

Jica—one of the Philippines’ major official development assistance (ODA) partners since the 1960s—has supported quality infrastructure, peace and development, and poverty reduction initiatives in the Philippines. As of 2014, Jica has extended 32.2 billion yen worth of development assistance to the Philippines.

Among its projects was a study entitled “Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas.” The study, which was completed in 2014, aims to help the Philippines develop suburban areas, advance a regional development strategy through north-south transport backbone, and develop new growth centers outside Metro Manila.

Jica also offered to continue working with the Philippines for peace and development in Mindanao.  It recently turned over to the Philippine government the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP)—a blueprint toward transforming Mindanao’s economy.

The plan—which was based on consultations with government, academe, former combatants, indigenous people, and conflict affected communities—outlines strategies for integrated development planning and for future development assistance for Mindanao.

In the meantime, about 20 Jica quick impact projects (QIPs), mostly socio-economic infrastructure, were implemented in Maguindanao, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Saranggani, Sultan Kudarat, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Zamboanga Sibugay. Amy R. Remo