Japan reaffirms stronger ties with Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — Stronger relation forged between Japan, through its consulate here, and Cebu City.

Along with this, Japan’s new consul-general in Cebu, Hideki Yamaji, looks forward to implementing more projects here when he paid a courtesy visit to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday.

“The most important thing is to implement projects, one by one. Those with Yokohama, JICA, we’d like to oversee the progress of these projects,” Yamaji told the mayor.

Rama also shared that the city has had a long-standing good relationship with Yokohama City, and welcomed this development.

Yokohama is mostly remembered by the Cebuanos for donating buses and garbage trucks in the City of Cebu.

With regards to upcoming projects with Japan, first on the list is the P1 billion septage water treatment (STP) plant at the North Reclamation Area.

The project will be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the Metropolitan Cebu Water District, according to the city’s Public Information Office.

According to Yamaji, who has only been in Cebu for two months, they are still waiting for approval from the national government for the grant.

“After getting approval from Malacañang, we can sign the agreement. Hopefully within this year,” Yamaji added.

The said project aims to develop and improve the existing small-scale STP, which was also a product of the city’s technical cooperation with Yokohama City.

Rama also looks forward to its implementation, as this is one of his priorities in his administration.

“I want the whole City of Cebu to address sewerage, engage septic treatment facilities. We would like to bring a Singapore-like Cebu City,” Rama said. — GMR (FREEMAN)