Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 4) — The Japanese government has committed to continuously support the projects under the flagship infrastructure program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
“In the area of economy, I mentioned that we will continue with the public-private support for infrastructure development such as the Dalton Pass and the Metro Manila [Subway Project], in line with President Marcos’ ‘Build Better More’ policy,” said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after his bilateral meeting with Marcos on Friday.
Both the Dalton Pass East Alignment Alternative Road in Nueva Ecija and the Metro Manila Subway Project in Valenzuela City are Japan-funded under the ‘Build Better More’ initiative, which is an expansion of the previous administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program.
Kishida, meawhile said Japan will also provide heavy equipment for disaster management in Mindanao to support peace, economic, and social development efforts in the area.
“In addition, we will continue to operate in areas such as smart agriculture, decarbonization and energy transition, and tourism while keeping a close eye on the next month’s ASEAN’s Zero Emission Community Summit,” he disclosed.
Kishida on Saturday visited the project depot of the upcoming mega-underground railway system in Valenzuela City, which is expected to serve 500,000 passengers daily by 2029.
Meanwhile, Marcos thanked Kishida’s support for the Philippines’ bid to reach upper-middle income country status by 2025.
