TOP PARTNERS Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya sign a loan agreement on Friday under Japan’s Official Development Assistance for the purchase of five patrol boats for the Philippine Coast Guard. —DFA PHOTO
The government has agreed to buy five coast guard patrol ships from Japan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday, as the country faces increasing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya on Friday signed a P23.85-billion ($413.3 million) loan package under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), for the purchase of the boats as part of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Scholarships
The PCG, an attached agency of the Department of Transportation, has been at the forefront among the country’s law enforcement and security agencies in asserting Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. With that mandate, the PCG continues to draw support from the country’s allies and also within government.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to reorganize and further equip the PCG to build its capacities in defying Chinese aggression.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry described the patrol boats as 97 meters long and capable of “offshore patrol” and “multirole response.” Manalo said in his remarks: “This occasion signifies not only the deepening of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan but also underscores our unwavering commitment to enhance our maritime safety capabilities for the benefit of our nation and the broader maritime community.”
The DFA also said Manalo and Kazuya signed another ODA agreement providing two to three years of postgraduate “Human Resource Development Scholarships” to interested Filipinos.
The P121-million grants are intended for Filipino scholars who wish to “enhance [themselves] in public service” and “take on leadership roles,” the DFA said.
Japan is the Philippines’ top partner in overseas assistance, including development projects in infrastructure, health, human resources, agriculture, education, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among other areas. —REPORTS FROM JANE BAUTISTA AND AFP