PHL, Japan scrutinize P315-B of infra projects for cooperation, funding

The Duterte administration's economic team on Friday discussed with their Japanese counterparts nine big-ticket infrastructure projects for cooperation and financing.

"It pleases me to inform you that we have made significant progress in finalizing the list of flagship cooperation projects in the Philippines for funding by Japan and identifying several others for possible Japanese financing, in step with the intensified public investment program of the Duterte administration," Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told reporters in a briefing after the 2nd Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation in Manila.

At the same briefing, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia noted that the nine projects will cost P315 billion.

The projects include:

• HARVEST (Harnessing Agribusiness Opportunities through Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship Supportive of Peaceful Transformation), proposed by the Land Bank of the Philippines ($46.17 million or P2 billion)

• Davao Irrigation, proposed by the National Irrigation Administration (cost to be determined)

• Mega Manila Subway Phase 1, proposed by the by Department of Transportation ($4.2 billion)

• Malolos Clark Railway, proposed by the DOTr and the Bases Conversion Development Authority ($1.9 billion or P93.4 billion)

• Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management, proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (P9.89 billion)

• Dalton Pass Eastern Alignment in Nueva Ecija, proposed by the DPWH (P4.8 billion)

• Road Network Development Project in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, proposed by the DPWH (P10 billion)

• Circumferential Road 3 Missing Link in Metro Manila, proposed by the DPWH (P10.5 billion)

• Pasig River Marikina Channel Improvement, proposed by the DPWH (P26 billion)

"It is possible that there would be more projects added to the list," Pernia noted.

"The implementing agencies also described the progress they are making in the projects we have already discussed. That, in general, is the subject matter in the next meeting. We will focus more on issues on implementation. As things progress, we get more and more details," Dominguez said.

He noted that the Philippines and Japan have looked into possible cooperation in energy, environment, agriculture, information and communications technology, and disaster prevention and preparedness. — VDS/KVD, GMA News