Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Roger G. Mercado lauded the ever supportive role played by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in shaping and bolstering the infrastructure landscape in the Philippines.
During the courtesy visit to Secretary Mercado on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, newly-appointed JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto reassured their unrelenting support not only for ongoing and new pipeline infrastructure projects but also in strengthening Japanese technology transfer through capacity building program.
“DPWH deeply values our close-knit ties with JICA that resulted to so many beautiful projects and we are grateful for all the shared knowledge and innovations,” said Secretary Mercado.
Also present in the courtesy call were DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain; JICA outgoing Chief Representative Eigo Azukizawa; JICA Philippines Senior Representatives Kenji Kuronuma and Masanari Yanagiuchi with other JICA Philippines officials; and DPWH UPMO Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista and Rodrigo S. Delos Reyes.
“As the new JICA Chief Representative Sakamoto takes over from outgoing Chief Representative Azukizawa, DPWH vows to continue our trusted partnership with the government of Japan in accelerating the infrastructure development of the Philippines,” added Secretary Mercado.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Sadain who is also the Chief Implementer of flagship projects under Build Build Build Program expressed his sincerest thanks to JICA under Mr. Azukizawa for stepping up to the challenge of the pandemic in efforts to pursue much-needed physical infrastructures for the improvement of lives of the Filipinos.
JICA, Japan’s bilateral aid agency and the Philippines’ largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) partner, is pursuing a number of development projects aimed at improving transport infrastructure in both urban and rural areas and in mitigating disasters.
During the meeting, Secretary Mercado also commended the DPWH UPMO Operations team led by Undersecretary Sadain for their hard work in overseeing the implementation of large-scale projects that will ensure an economy boost which is vital in the country’s recovery from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Undersecretary Sadain, there are 13 flagship infrastructure projects in the JICA portfolio with seven (7) categorized under roads, two (2) bridges, and four (4) flood control.
JICA-assisted road infrastructure projects include the Arterial Road Bypass Project, Phase III; Road Upgrading and Preservation Project (RUPP); Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Project, Phase I; Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (RNDP-CAAM); Davao City Bypass Construction Project; Programme for the Support to Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Marawi City and its Surrounding Areas (JICA Grant); and Cebu-Mactan Bridge (4th) and Coastal Road Construction Project.
Bridges and flood control projects supported by Japan are the Metro Manila Interchange Construction Project, Phase VI; Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project; Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan River, Tagoloan River & Imus River (FRIMP-CTI); Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan de Oro River (FRIMP-CDOR); Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Phase IV; and Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project.
Other projects with JICA funded ODA Feasibility Studies are the Parañaque Spillway/Tunnel Project; Davao City Flood Control and Drainage Project Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project (East Dalton Bypass Project); Central Mindanao Highway Project (Cagayan de Oro-Malaybalay Section); and Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development, Phase II – Component 1. (DPWH)
