The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The government has submitted to Japan some $9 billion (P450 billion) worth of infrastructure plans for possible official development assistance (ODA) financing during the first meeting of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation held in Tokyo last week.
During the meeting, Philippine and Japanese officials pledged to work closely on possible projects for cooperation on infrastructure development.
Japan acknowledged the list based on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s commitment to provide Japanese financing to Philippine projects that will give priority to the construction of railways; irrigation; and road and flood management projects.
Additional projects in the areas of public works, energy, and industrial zone development were also submitted as candidates for Japan ODA financing.
Based on the discussions among officials of both governments, the Japanese side will review the projects for bilateral cooperation.
The first meeting of the Joint Committee took place at Kantei, the Prime Minister’s Office. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III headed the Philippine side, while Dr. Hiroto Izumi, the special advisor to Mr. Abe, led the Japanese side.
This joint panel’s formation was announced during Mr. Abe’s visit last January to the Philippines, where he announced the Japanese government’s commitment of one trillion yen in development assistance and investments to the Philippines within the next five years.
The joint committee is set to meet next in the Philippines within the year at a date to be agreed upon by both parties.
In the meeting, the Philippine and Japanese delegations consulted with each other on how to enhance cooperation such as improving approval processes and project design and implementation, including provision of support for feasibility study upon request of the Philippine side.
Also discussed was the formulation of action plans to speed up the implementation of Philippine projects in cooperation with Japan.
Japanese government representatives took the opportunity to promote quality infrastructure based on their country’s experience, technologies and knowhow.
On the same occasion, the Philippine delegation expressed its appreciation to Japan for presenting the Power Sector Action Plan, which was prepared with Japanese government’s assistance.
The Philippine delegation also presented to Japanese officials the Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2022 and provided updates on the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals.
Besides Dominguez, the Philippine delegation also included Senator Alan Peter Cayetano; Secretaries Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Alfonso Cusi of the Department of Energy (DOE); Vivencio Dizon, president of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Reuben Lista, president of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC); Undersecretary Cesar Chavez of the Department of Transportation (DOTr); and Charge d’Affaires Eduardo Martin Meñez of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
Dominguez said the dialogues between Japanese and Philippine officials can be a fitting gift to President Duterte, who marked his 72nd natal day last Tuesday.
Dominguez’s remark was in response to a query of Kawai on whether the series of engagements between visiting Philippine executives and their Japanese counterparts resulted in “good news” that can be delivered as a birthday present to President Duterte.
“I told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that we would have a very good (birthday) present to the President. We have come to a very good start and understanding,” Dominguez told Kawai during their meeting.
“I wish to thank the Japanese government for the warm welcome received by our delegation and the careful preparation done for our meetings,” Dominguez added.
In the meeting with Kawai, Dominguez received an update on the assistance extended by Japan to the Philippines’ campaign against illegal drugs, support for Mindanao peace and development, and ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two countries.
Kawai cited the delivery only last Monday at Sangley Point in Cavite of two units of TC-90 trainer aircraft that the Japanese had agreed to lease to the Philippines for its maritime patrols.
“I hope this will help strengthen your maritime security,” Kawai said. In the meeting, Kawai also said that Japan “would like to help set up model rehabilitation centers in the Philippines.”
“Through many occasions of discussion with President Duterte, I have come to understand that the support for him by the people has been consolidated because of the (war) against illegal drugs, so we would like to continue the support for this field,” Kawai said.
“We reiterate that Prime Minister Abe hopes to achieve peace in the Philippines and the region, I myself would like to help the Philippines and be the ‘second ambassador’ of the Philippines here,” he added.
Kawai said that Prime Minister Abe was “very happy” with the warm welcome he received from the Filipino people during his visit to the Philippines two months ago.
Kawai likewise mentioned that he believes President Duterte “is the most popular leader in the world” with Prime Minister and US President Donald Trump even briefly talking about him during their meeting in February.
“Prime Minister Abe is ready to be a bridge between President Duterte and other world leaders, including President Trump,” Kawai said. LUIS LEONCIO