One of the most interesting success of the Philippine government during the APEC Summit in Manila is the positive outcome of the bilateral meeting between Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the Japanese government committed P241.9 billion in official Development Assistance for a railway project.
According to an Interaksyon.com article, the assistance to the Philippines by the Japanese government will be used for the North-South Railway Project from Malolos Bulacan to Tutuban. The Filipino and Japanese leader also discussed the progress made on a roadmap that aims to improve and modernize transportation in Metro Manila by 2030.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also revealed to the media that the Japanese government together with the Philippine government will be conducting a study for a subway project in the near future.
The meeting between the Filipino and Japanese leader paved the way for the “Cooperation Roadmap for Quality Infrastructure in the Transport Sector in the Metropolitan Manila Area, the program “focuses on infrastructure and mass transit development to address the congestion challenges posed by urbanization.
Aside from the infrastructure projects, the Philippine government and the Japanese government also discuss the defense equipment transfer which was first discussed during Aquino’s state visit to Japan in June.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also cited that Pres. Aquino requesting the provision of large patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard.