| Work Detail |
The Philippines and Japan reaffirmed their strong partnership in advancing infrastructure development and exchanging expertise in innovative road and tunnel technologies during the 3rd Workshop on Technical and Business Cooperation for Road Construction and the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of Road Tunnels and Related Facilities.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, together with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Assistant Vice Minister Hashimoto Masamichi, Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Office Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema, spearheaded the workshop on December 6, 2024 at the Diamond Hotel, Manila aimed at advancing infrastructure resilience, safety, and sustainability in the Philippines.
Senior Undersecretary Sadain emphasized the workshop’s significance in enhancing technical expertise and applying best practices to ensure that the Philippine infrastructure remains functional and resilient for generations.
“Through continuous collaboration, Japan has significantly contributed to Philippine infrastructure development. Our Japanese partners’ expertise ensures that future projects adhere to the highest standards of quality and sustainability,” said Sadain.
Resource speakers included prominent experts such as Public-Private Partnership Center Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey Manalo; JICA Road Planning and Management Expert Eiji Ochiai; NEXCO Central Deputy Director Hiroyuki Tokieda; Tunnel Maintenance Specialist Wako Noto; Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Ltd. Deputy Senior Director Taku Hanai; Metropolitan Expressway Company International Projects Division Deputy Manager Omura Takashi; and MLIT Road Bureau Deputy Director Yoshihiro Taketa.
Key attendees included DPWH Assistant Secretary Constante A. Llanes, Jr.; JICA Philippines Office Senior Representative Fukui Keisuke; UPMO-Roads Management Cluster I (Bilateral) Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista; UPMO-Buildings and Special Projects Management Cluster Project Director Soledad R. Florencio; Procurement Service Director Maria Victoria S. Gregorio; Planning Service Director Alex G. Bote; Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario; and representatives from UPMO, Public-Private Partnership Service, private contractors, expressway concessionaires, and other stakeholders.
The event also marked a historic moment for DPWH, as Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan received from MLIT Assistant Vice Minister Hashimoto the FY2023 International Lifetime Contribution Award from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE).
Secretary Bonoan is the first Filipino and sole non-Japanese recipient of this prestigious award, which celebrates his exceptional leadership and contributions to fostering Philippine-Japan technical cooperation.
The award, presented during the sidelines of the workshop, included a medal featuring a crystal bird in flight, symbolizing the recipient’s remarkable achievements in civil engineering.
JSCE 112th President Professor Sasaki Yoh, in a recorded video message, acknowledged Secretary Bonoan’s vital role in strengthening bilateral ties, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in civil engineering for building stronger and more resilient nations.
In his acceptance speech, Secretary Bonoan said that the recognition highlights the growing prominence of the Philippines in the global civil engineering community. It also inspires our engineers and public servants to strive for excellence in building a more resilient nation.
JSCE and its Philippine counterpart, the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. (PICE), had earlier strengthened their partnership through an Agreement of Cooperation (AOC) signed by JSCE President Shigeyoshi Tanaka and Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, serving as the 2024 PICE National President. This collaboration fosters innovation and shared expertise to advance the successful realization of the Philippines’ ambitious infrastructure goals.
By leveraging the convergence of technical expertise, the Philippines is poised to develop stronger, more resilient infrastructure, paving the way for sustained economic growth and stability.
The 3rd workshop presented Japan’s cutting-edge technologies, global engineering practices, and innovative solutions for the construction, operation, and maintenance of roads, expressways, tunnels.
It also covered topics on maintaining long-span bridges, large-scale repairs, and renewals of expressways, emphasizing their importance in combating climate challenges and ensuring public safety.
DPWH and MLIT reaffirmed their commitment to advancing infrastructure development, with MLIT Assistant Vice Minister Hashimoto and Ambassador Endo pledging continued technical cooperation and funding support for Philippine projects. |
