24 March 2017, MANILA – The Philippines and Japan signed several Exchange-of-Notes (E/N) for joint projects aimed at promoting development in key sectors of the country on March 23.
Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa signed the Exchange-of-Notes for the (1) “Consolidated Rehabilitation of Illegal Drug Users (CARE)”; (2)” Economic and Social Development Programme”; and (3) Project for Improvement of Equipment for Power Distribution in Bangsamoro during a ceremony at the Carlos P. Garcia Hall in the department of Foreign Affairs. The Acting Secretary also witnessed the signing of the “Peace Building and Education Support for Children in Conflict Affected Mindanao” project between Japan and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The E/N signing is the preliminary step towards the implementation of the aforementioned undertakings, which are seen to further enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Speaking after the signing ceremony, Acting Secretary Manalo said that the E/Ns embody the robust and steadfast partnership of the Philippines and Japan and are testament to their strong strategic relationship.
Japan is the Philippines’ top Official Development Assistance (ODA) partner since 2010 and has contributed significantly to the country’s development and capacity building measures in areas that include infrastructure, security, health, trade, tourism, human resources, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among many others. The Philippines and japan celebrated the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations in 2016. END