JICA expanding collaboration with Phl on disaster risk reduction

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is eyeing to expand collaboration with the Philippines in the area of disaster risk reduction, citing the two countries' susceptibility to severe disasters.

- HELEN FLORES

JICA president Tanaka Akihiko made the remarks during a courtesy call on President Marcos at Malacañang on Wednesday.

"As a country sharing a similar fate of having monsoon typhoons, the recent experience forced us to continue our collaborative work in disaster risk reduction," Tanaka told the President.

In response, Marcos said flood control and water management has become a major issue in the country due to the massive flooding brought by the recent storms.

"The water management problem came before, even when I was still in the local government," Marcos, who had served as governor and representative of Ilocos Norte, said.

Marcos stressed JICA's important partnership with the Philippines as he highlighted the agency's aid to the country from infrastructure to "green projects."

"It started only with infrastructure but now you have also expanded into other areas so we hope we can continue, especially the green projects we have now," the President said.