Japan reaffirms financing support for Philippine infrastructure pipeline

Japan has reiterated its commitment to support the Philippine government’s infrastructure agenda, pledging financing for key projects aimed at boosting connectivity, flood protection, and maritime safety.

In a statement, the Department of Finance said Philippine officials, led by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, met with their Japanese counterparts in Osaka on Sept. 11 to review the progress of Japan-assisted initiatives.

The Japanese delegation was headed by Dr. Mori Masafumi, special advisor to the Prime Minister, along with senior officials from the ministries of finance, foreign affairs, land and transport, as well as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

Among the priority projects identified for funding in 2025–2026 is the second San Juanico bridge, a 2.6-kilometer link that will connect Leyte and Samar via Babatngon and Sta. Rita. Once built, the new bridge is expected to shorten travel time, reduce transport costs, and stimulate local business activity in the Visayas.

Also in the pipeline is the Parañaque spillway project, which will channel excess water from Laguna Lake into Manila Bay. The project aims to reduce flood inundation by up to 37 percent in surrounding communities during extreme weather events.

Japan also committed financing for a Philippine Coast Guard support facility in Subic Bay, designed to strengthen operational capacity and maritime safety.

“Your confidence will be invested properly in the future of our people. Every yen and every peso will be made to work harder and go farther,” Recto told Japanese officials during the meeting.

Both sides also reviewed ongoing projects, including the North-South Commuter Railway, MRT-3 rehabilitation, and seismic retrofitting of Metro Manila bridges. Updates on Mindanao reconstruction and Japan’s role in the peace process were likewise discussed.

Japan remains the Philippines’ largest source of official development assistance (ODA), accounting for about %u20B1805.76 billion, or nearly 40 percent of the country’s ODA portfolio as of March 2025.