Davao City (CNN Philippines, October 31) — President Rodrigo Duterte said he will make sure projects funded by Japan’s trillion-yen loan to the country will happen as soon as possible.
The President gave this assurance in his speech in Davao City Tuesday after arriving from his two-day official visit to Japan.
Duterte met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Monday where Abe said Japan was committed to deliver its trillion-yen pledge (roughly P456 billion) to the Philippines.
READ: Japan commits to ‘give flesh’ to 1T yen pledge to PH
Duterte said Japan’s pledge will cover large infrastructure projects needed by the country to “sustain economic growth and improve the quality of life of our people.”
He added he was committed to work closely with Abe to make sure these projects “proceed soonest and it will be done, done, done.”
Strengthening of ties, commitment to peace, invitations to invest
In his speech, Duterte said Japan would once again be the country’s partner in rebuilding Marawi “as the center of moderation and tolerance.”
This comes after Abe’s statement Monday where he said his country was fully supportive of Duterte’s approach in fighting terrorism as well as ensuring stability in Mindanao.
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The President also added that he has encouraged Japan “to explore more opportunities to invest in the Philippines, including in steel manufacturing, agribusiness and IT and creative services.”
“I met with industry leaders in Tokyo who signed business agreements valued at six billion dollars. This is more than three times the amount of sealed businesses agreements during my first visit to Japan in 2016,” Duterte said.
Duterte then said he was humbled after meeting Emperor Akihito. He told the Emperor, that the Philippines is grateful for Japan’s “continuing friendship and support for the Philippines’ peace and development goals.”
Japan is closer than a brother, Duterte said.
“Japan treats us as a sovereign equal.”
In closing his speech, Duterte said both countries were “building a golden age for our strategic partnerships.”
