H.E. Mr. Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan, held the first meeting with H.E. Mr. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 29, 2010. The two leaders confirmed their determination to further strengthen bilateral relations to foster a strategic partnership. Prime Minister Kan also extended his heartfelt welcome to the coming visit of President Aquino on the occasion of the APEC Summit Meeting to be held on November 13 and 14, 2010 in Yokohama, Japan.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kan made the approximately 21.4 billion peso (40.8 billion yen) loan pledge during the summit meeting with President Aquino. This ODA (Official Development Assistance) loan to the Philippines is to help finance “ Road Upgrading and Preservation Project ,” which will improve arterial roads nationwide, and also strengthen the ability of road maintenance and management. The project is expected to enhance transportation efficiency and sustainability, which will greatly contribute to promoting economic development of the Philippines.
The project is Japan's first ODA loan project pledged to the Philippines under the Aquino Administration. It attests Japan's continued commitment to supporting the Philippine Government's development efforts under the leadership of President Aquino.
Japan has been the top ODA donor to the Philippines for many years, and has assisted the country in achieving sustainable economic growth and creating employment opportunities through its ODA. Japan will firmly continue to support the Philippines to achieve sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty, which will further foster the strategic partnership between the two countries.
In particular, Japan has been a long-time partner of the Philippines in construction and rehabilitation of highways and improvement of road networks. Japan's ODA has supported the Philippines to construct and rehabilitate major arterial highways, including 2,100-km “Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway” (“Pan Philippines Highway” stretching from Aparri in Cagayan Province to Davao) and the 94-km “Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway” (which connects the Subic Bay Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Zambales, the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac), to name but a few.
For more information about Japan's ODA to the Philippines, please visit our website at http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/bilateral/oda_eng.htm .
