Gov't to expedite delayed Japan-funded infra projects

Philippine agencies rolling out big-ticket infrastructure projects and the Japanese government's official development assistance (ODA) arm have pledged to fast-track the completion of Japan-funded projects in the country despite lingering challenges, especially on right-of-way (ROW) acquisition.

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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said the commitment was sealed during a meeting with the visiting Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Parliamentary League on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Besides Dizon, high-ranking officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) met with the Japanese delegation.

"We will cooperate continuously with JICA and the other Japanese agencies to make sure that these projects are completed quickly and are completed with the utmost quality that Japan is very well known for," Dizon said. "For the DOTr, we commit that we will make these projects faster."