The Japanese government has offered to help equip Davao City with the know-how and capability to engage in urban infrastructure planning, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief representative Susumu Ito on June 21 presented to NEDA officials and outgoing Davao City mayor and President-elect Rodrigo Duterte the Davao City Infrastructure Development Plan and Capacity Building Project.
The program aims to give assistance to Davao City in formulating its urban infrastructure plan.
“The Japanese government’s timely offer of assistance will enable the Davao City government to respond to the challenges of urbanization resulting from increased economic activity in the City,” NEDA Deputy Director-General Rolando Tungpalan said.
The capacity building project, which is expected to be implemented over an 18-month period, is seen to enable both local and national government personnel to adopt new approaches and best practices in infrastructure planning.
The project involves introducing new urban infrastructure planning methodologies and best practices, and developing technical know-how on formulating planning manuals, guidelines, training materials, and tools. It will also cover learning to input sector-specific development priorities and regional development needs to urban infrastructure planning exercises, and developing trainers and local experts through “Training of Trainers” sessions to be conducted locally and in Japan.
Also present during the meeting was NEDA Region XI Director Ma. Lourdes Lim, who lauded the project. “This will lead to more joint Philippine-Japan activities aimed at helping Davao and the rest of Mindanao fulfill their economic growth potentials under the Duterte administration,” she said.
Business and industry leaders at a recent forum in Davao requested the incoming government to speedily implement infrastructure projects in the country.
The new administration’s 10-point agenda includes investing in “building the infrastructure necessary to make us a 21st century economy—from modernizing our ports to improving our logistical spine to ensuring reliable and cheap power for all the islands.”
In 2014, JICA also created the “Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Its Surrounding Areas” report, which is now being used by NEDA as a guide as it plots the improvement of the infrastructure network in the metropolis.
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