The Government of the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) officially signed today, January 21, 2019 a Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the financing of Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project Phase IV.
Department of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez and JICA Southeast Asia and Pacific Department Director General Shigenori Ogawa signed the 18.223 Billion peso (37.905 Billion Japanese yen) loan agreement with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar and Japan Embassy to Manila Minister and Consul General Atsushi Kuwabara as witnessed.
In his message, DPWH Secretary Villar acknowledged with sincere appreciation DOF Secretary Dominguez, Director General Ogawa as well as the tremendous efforts and hard work of DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations and Technical Services Emil K. Sadain and Project Director Patrick B. Gatan of UPMO Flood Control Management Cluster in making into reality the immediate approval of financial package assistance just barely two (2) months since the Exchange of Notes between the Government of the Philippines and Government of Japan was signed on November 21, 2018.
The Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project Phase IV will cover channel improvement works for middle Marikina River from the downstream of Mangahan Floodway to Marikina Bridge Sto. Nino including the construction of Marikina Control Gate Structure and construction of two (2) floodgates at the joining sections of Cainta and Taytay Rivers to Mangahan Floodway.
The Japanese flood mitigation technology will be adopted in Phase IV which will complement to the completed Pasig River Channel Improvement under Phase II and Lower Marikina River Channel Improvement including remaining works in Pasig River under Phase III which are also mainly funded by the Japanese government.
The project which is part of the long-term solutions against flood disasters is in line with the DPWH continuing commitment to the Build Build Build Program of President Rodrigo Duterte administration of providing safe environment and contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of Filipino people.
The loan agreement under JICA for the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project of the Department of Transportation was also signed at the event held at DOF Building, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.