Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, on behalf of the Philippine Government, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Akihiko Tanaka, on behalf of the Government of Japan, signed a Loan Agreement last week that will support the acquisition of ten (10) 40-meter maritime vessels for the Department of Transportation and Communications-Philippine Coast Guard (DOTC-PCG) during the recent visit of President Benigno S. Aquino, III to Japan for the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit.

Under the agreement, the Government of Japan, through JICA, will provide a highly concessional loan amounting to JPY18,732,000,000 (about Php7.94 billion) to the Philippines for the acquisition of the said maritime vessels to further strengthen and develop DOTC-PCG’s coast watch/patrol and search and rescue capabilities to enhance its capacity in complying with the country’s international commitments on maritime safety and security and maritime environmental protection.

“As the nation experiences disasters, both natural and man-made, that have had adverse impact on the welfare of our citizens, the capability and capacity of the DOTC-PCG to quickly respond to such disasters cannot be more magnified. This is among the many steps we are pursuing as we try to enhance the country’s resiliency for such calamities”, Secretary Purisima said.

The Japanese Government has consistently been one of the top ODA Development Partners of the Philippines. Among the assistance extended by the Japanese Government this 2013 are: a) The Capacity Enhancement of Mass Transit Systems in Metro Manila Project which involves the expansion of existing lines of LRT 1 and LRT 2; and b) the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project which will replace the existing Tagbilaran Airport.