The Japanese government will consider providing assistance with water resources management particularly the construction of dams, sabo technology, retarding basins and other flood control structures. Their intended assistance includes sharing of expertise  and technology.

Visiting Japanese Minister Akihiro Ohta of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is open to the proposal of Secretary Rogelio L. Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in providing cooperation program on flood mitigation and management.

Earlier, Secretary Singson expressed his gratitude to Japanese government for the full support to the country’s infrastructure development, particularly through a number of Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided to improve and modernize the Philippines’ infrastructure.

Secretary Singson also proposed the inclusion of a training program on water resources and flood management for selected young civil engineers joining the DPWH’s recruitment program. 

Minister Ohta expressed his admiration for the Aquino administration for coming up with a long term vision for flood mitigation and roadmap for transport infrastructure development that will address worsening traffic in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

The Government of Japan, via Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), provided invaluable assistance in the development of transport roadmap with the goal of modernizing transport facilities.     

Later, Singson and Ohta witnessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN) for the Clark Green City Project in Clarkfield, Pampanga.

- dpwh.gov.ph

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