The Philippines and Japan will further strengthen cooperation on infrastructure, healthcare, climate action, and peace and development initiatives in Mindanao, President Ferdinand Marcos said on Thursday after meeting with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president Dr. Tanaka Akihiko at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo.
Marcos went on a state visit to Japan on May 26-29.
“JICA continues to help [with] projects that create jobs, improve connectivity, and make everyday life better for Filipinos,” Marcos said in a Facebook post. “We also welcomed JICA’s continued support as we work to protect our economy and our people from the impact of rising global oil prices and global uncertainties.”
Marcos and Tanaka discussed ongoing and pipeline projects aimed at boosting connectivity, disaster resilience, human resource development, and economic growth — including railway systems, road networks, bridges, and disaster risk management initiatives as the Philippines continues its infrastructure expansion efforts.
The Japanese government, through JICA, is expected to sign nine pipeline loans worth ¥292.10 billion ($1.84 billion) this year.
These are for funding the Build Universal Health Care Program Subprogram 3 and the Climate Change Action Program Subprogram 3.
Aside from loans, JICA has approved 47 grants to the Philippines amounting to ¥45.17 billion ($288.93 million) as of December 2025, of which 23 grants totaling ¥9.55 billion were signed with the Marcos administration.
The meeting also reaffirmed JICA’s continued support for the Philippine Coast Guard, including assistance for patrol vessel acquisition, development of the PCG base in Subic, and capacity-building activities.
Malacañang said the meeting highlighted the Marcos administration’s efforts to deepen cooperation with Japan in pursuit of “shared prosperity, sustainable development, and regional stability.”
It also acknowledged the longstanding partnership between Manila and Tokyo through JICA, which remains the Philippines’ largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Japan accounts for $13.959 billion or 33.54 percent of the Philippines’ total ODA portfolio as of December 2025.
JICA had been funding 26 ongoing ODA loan projects worth ¥1.94 trillion ($12.16 billion) as of May 18 — of which 13 loans worth ¥932.01 billion were signed with the Marcos administration.
The Philippines has so far completed 295 ODA loan projects amounting to ¥2.66 trillion.
