TO assist the government in developing Subic-Clark areas as a logistics hub of the Asian regional economy, the Japanese government approved on Monday P7.6 billion (¥19.4 billion) worth of official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines to fund infrastructure and disaster- mitigation projects.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura signed and exchanged notes on the two ODA loan projects with foreign undersecretary for special concerns Rafael Seguis to fund the Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project and the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Project, both now on their Phase 3 of implementation.

“These ODA projects reaffirm Japan’s commitment to support the Philippine government’s efforts in disaster prevention and management, as well as poverty alleviation in the rural areas,” said Katsura in a statement issued Monday at the signing ceremonies held at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

He said the government of Japan will allocate a total of ¥7.604 billion (P3.011 billion) for the Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project.

The project, being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, is part of the recovery efforts in Central Luzon provinces from the damage caused by the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

“The project constitutes a part of the Subic-Clark Development Initiative, a program promoted by the Philippine government to develop the area as a logistics hub of the Asian regional economy,” said Katsura.

He added that Japan has been engaged in rehabilitation projects around the Sacobia-Bamban and Pasig-Potrero rivers now under Phases 1 and 2 levels of implementation.

But Katsura emphasized that: “The problem remains in the Porac-Gumain river basin, which is still clogged by mud flow caused by the Pinatubo eruption, adversely affecting the surrounding region during flood disasters.”

The project under the new ODA will include construction of drainage facilities, dikes and roads in order to mitigate possible damages of inundation to facilitate the flow of goods and improve sanitation in the Central Luzon region.

Katsura emphasized that the two projects are expected to contribute to the development of targeted communities and strengthen the bilateral relations of the two countries.

Japan is the Philippines’ largest source of ODA, with assistance ranging from grants and loans to technical cooperation and development studies.  

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has also allocated ¥11.802 billion (P4.673 billion) for the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project now on its Phase 3 level of implementation.

The project aims to focus on current government programs on poverty reduction and increased livelihood opportunities in the rural areas nationwide through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program under the Department of Agrarian Reform.

Katsura said the Japanese government has been supporting the Philippine government’s efforts in achieving agrarian reform since 1995 by assisting agrarian-reform beneficiaries in more than 220 agrarian-reform communities in the Philippines.

“The major component of the Phase 3 project involves enhancement of infrastructure such as small-sized irrigation facilities, setting up of market information centers for intercommunity cooperation and other initiatives that will improve productivity, capability and livelihood of farmers; thus enhancing self-reliance of agrarian- reform communities,” said Katsura.

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FOLLOWING its successful divestment of its remaining shares in the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. (PNOC-EDC), the government will be putting next in line for sale its interest in Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)—the country’s largest power distributor, Finance Secretary Margarito B. Teves told reporters.

TO assist the government in developing Subic-Clark areas as a logistics hub of the Asian regional economy, the Japanese government approved on Monday P7.6 billion (¥19.4 billion) worth of official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines to fund infrastructure and disaster- mitigation projects.

SEN. Edgardo Angara moved to realign a portion of the proposed P2.571-billion budget of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to shift the department’s priorities toward promoting rural and domestic economy in the country.

THE House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill providing for the extension of the utilization of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (Acef).

THIRD World countries, including the Philippines, where the level of acceptance of agricultural biotechnology is reportedly better than its other Asian neighbors, should take advantage of their respective environment conducive for the looming “bioindustrial revolution.”

THE Eco-Waste Coalition and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) are calling for the adoption of “Zero Waste for Zero Warming” as stakeholders on waste and climate issues gather in Bali, Indonesia, for the United Nations Climate Conference this week.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Mindanao leaders must not lose sight on the social issues such as poverty and peace and security in the attainment of the island’s sustainable development.