(Eagle News) – Japan and the Philippines on Tuesday, May 15, signed an agreement that would allow for a P970-million grant to support ongoing rehabilitation efforts in Marawi.
In a statement, the Department of Finance said that the agreement, which will cover “infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of transcentral roads that need to be rebuilt immediately in the war-ravaged communities,” was signed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief representative in the Philippines, Yoshio Wada.
Also present at the signing at the DOF main office in Manila were Public Works Undersecretary Emil Sadain; Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson Eduardo del Rosario, who heads the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC); and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda.
“I would like to assure the ambassador and the chief representative of JICA that we are very keenly aware that these funds come from the taxpayers of Japan, and that we will honor them by not wasting those funds. On behalf of the Philippine Government, I express profound gratitude for the generous support by the Government of Japan to the great task of rebuilding the City of Marawi,” Dominguez said.
The grant is the fourth aid package provided by Japan to the Philippines.
Earlier grants include the provision of heavy equipment for reconstruction efforts under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (BMCRRP).
According to the DOF, Japan has provided an estimated US$36 million in aid for Marawi’s relief and rehabilitation efforts so far.