JICA vows continued support for Philippines disaster resiliency initiatives

MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese government, through its official development assistance (ODA) arm, has vowed to continue supporting Philippine efforts to strengthen its disaster-resiliency program.

In a statement, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said it has turned over the rehabilitated municipal hall of Marabut in Samar among the projects funded by the 4.6 billion yen—around P2.23 billion—comprehensive grant for areas damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. The rehabilitated municipal hall of Lawaan, Samar inaugurated early this year was also funded using the grant support.

The newly-rehabilitated municipal halls were designed to serve as evacuation centers in the event of disasters. 

In Marabut, the municipal hall was the second building rehabilitated under the JICA grant aid following the rural health unit turned over in 2017.

JICA chief representative Yoshio Wada said the municipal halls were rebuilt based on Japanese standards that emphasize quality and safety “using the concept of Build Back Better.”

“The Philippines’ and Japan’s long standing friendship has proven that our partnership remains firm whether in good times and in times of disasters. Japan shall never forget that the Philippines were one of the countries who offered help when the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami struck our country in 2011,” said Wada.

Citing data from the 2016 World Risk Index of the United Nations, JICA said Philippines and Japan are among the top disaster-prone countries in the world. Their geographical position on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes both countries particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Apart from Yolanda assistance, Japan has been sharing its expertise in disaster risk reduction with the Philippines since the 1960s through hard and soft infrastructures including capacity building of the country’s frontline disaster agencies.

The JICA assistance for Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery also includes rebuilding of schools, rural health unit and providing equipment for DPWH, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (D.Z. Romualdez Airport), National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and local electric cooperatives.

A technical assistance has also been provided to various regional and local government units  such as production of hazard maps and quick impact projects.