THE Japanese government, through its official development assistance, will help fund six of the 13 infrastructure projects earlier approved by the National Economic and Development Authority board.
Of the six new projects—the total cost of which amounts to a combined P715 billion-five are related to transportation while one is flood management.
“Japan is one of our long-time and most trusted development partners. We recognize its commitment to technical excellence in infrastructure,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said during last week’s 36th Joint Meeting of the Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation Committee of the Philippines and Japan.
“Our focus on the transportation sector is part of the bigger mission to decongest Metro Manila, and bring development to the regions, which is embedded in our National Spatial Strategy,” Pernia said.
The six projects are the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project, Arterial Road Bypass Project-Phase III (formerly Plaridel Bypass Road Project), Malolos-Clark Railway Project (PNR North 2), Maritime Safety Capability Project II, Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)–Phase 1 and PNR South Commuter and South Longhaul Project.
Pernia said the government was acting to ease traffic congestion in the mega cities of the country following Jica’s study that estimated the cost of traffic in Metro Manila at P3.5 billion.
“This estimated economic loss in daily traffic is massive, and we must act fast. We are looking at this problem in a comprehensive way. We recognize that transportation is the enabler and driver of socioeconomic development, that is why we have the National Transport Policy approved by the Neda board,” Pernia said.
The Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Transport Planning and the Neda Board Cluster on Infrastructure would review plans, projects and programs for the long-term development of the transport sector, he said.
He said the government’s transport vision was “a safe, secure, reliable, efficient, integrated, intermodal, affordable, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and people-oriented national transport system that ensures improved quality of life of the people.”
“Let me reiterate that infrastructure is crucial. It is a sine qua non in development. What we aim is an infrastructure boom that serves not just the economy but, more importantly, the Filipino people,” Pernia said.
Aside from the six new projects that will be funded by Japan, seven new projects will be funded with assistance from other ODA partners.