Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, together with Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, led the Philippine government delegation at the Business Matching Event organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Office.
The event, held on September 13, 2024 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, brought together key Philippine government and JICA officials and representatives from Japanese companies to explore collaboration opportunities.
In his message, Secretary Bonoan convey deepest gratitude to JICA Philippines Office Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto for inviting in the event and for the invaluable support extended to finance several infrastructure flagship projects of DPWH that are aligned with the “Build Better More” agenda of the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. administration..
JICA-financed projects not only transform the country’s infrastructure landscape but also foster stronger bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan, said Secretary Bonoan.
JICA remains a major partner in the Philippines’ infrastructure development, acting as the principal financier of several Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects.
During a media interview at the event with JICA Philippines Chief Representative Sakamoto, Senior Undersecretary Sadain, who heads the DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) operations overseeing large-scale infrastructure projects funded through ODA, highlighted the significant progress of several ongoing and recently completed JICA-financed initiatives such as road networks, bridges, and flood control facilities aimed at enhancing national infrastructure.
These include the Arterial Road Bypass Project in Bulacan, Flood Risk Management Project for the Cagayan de Oro River, Central Luzon Link Expressway, Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (Phase IV), Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Program, and Davao City Bypass Construction Project, among others.
Pre-construction projects include the Metro Manila Priority Bridges for Seismic Improvement (Guadalupe and Lambingan Bridges) and the Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project. Meanwhile, the Parañaque Spillway/Tunnel Project, EDSA Transport Road Network Rehabilitation Project, Second San Juanico Bridge Project, and Davao City Flood Control and Drainage Project are under proposal stages.
Senior Undersecretary Sadain also highlighted two (2) additional flagship projects under the “Build Better More” Program, which are considered priorities in the current administration’s mega-bridge initiative. These include the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, now in the civil works procurement stage, and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges, currently undergoing detailed engineering design.
The event fostered opportunities for Japanese businesses to introduce their solutions and technologies to Filipino companies, government agencies, and other stakeholders, further enhancing the cooperation between the two nations.
The event was initiated in response to a request from Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for JICA to assist Japanese companies in expanding their presence in the Philippines.
Several Japanese companies showcased their expertise, presenting innovative solutions aimed at boosting infrastructure development in the Philippines and creating a win-win situation for both countries.