THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said it is promoting the Philippines’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects to Japan-based firms while encouraging them to look into the viable market of the country.

Takema Sakamoto, Chief Representative of JICA Philippines office, also said in a statement on Tuesday that Japan has donated relief goods to the victims of the earthquake which struck North Luzon last July 27.

“I hereby extend my deepest sympathies to our friends affected by the earthquake. I pray for the safety of everybody,” said Sakamoto.

According to Sakamoto, JICA has been actively helping other countries recover from major disasters through the Japan Disaster Relief operation (JDR).

“When major disasters occur overseas, in response to requests from the governments of affected countries or international agencies, like today, JICA reacts swiftly, showing Japanese people’s good will, to support the countries’ recovery efforts,” said Sakamoto.

Through the years, the chief representative added, JICA has carried out roughly 10 or more JDR support goods’ prompt delivery operations in a year.

For instance, JICA donated relief goods to the victims of Typhoon Odette in December 2021. The agency was also present during the tragedies of the Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991 and Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

“In the Philippines, according to my rough check, JICA has carried out nearly 30 JDR support goods delivery operations since the Luzon earthquake in Baguio in 1990,” said Sakamoto.

Since the Philippines is a disaster-prone country just like Japan, Sakamoto stressed, “We are eager to support our natural partner when needed.” He added, “To this end, JICA collaborates closely with its Philippine counterparts in the area of disaster risk reduction and management.”

The chief representative also noted that Jica has been dispatching Japanese experts in order to share Japan’s experiences and expertise, implementing capacity development cooperation, supporting resilient infrastructure improvement, among others.

Apart from disaster relief efforts, Sakamoto said JICA is also engaged in a wide range of cooperation in the Philippines, which include infrastructure projects, such as but not limited to the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, the Metro Manila Subway Project, Irrigation improvement.

Moreover, Sakamoto noted that JICA is involved in a variety of challenges across the health, governance, and social services sectors in the country.

BY
ANDREA E. SAN JUAN
AUGUST 3, 2022