Japan commits to invest in future Bangsamoro territory — DFA

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Japan has committed to develop the future Bangsamoro territory, and pour more investments in the country, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Thursday.

Japan, the only country that became part of the International Monitoring Team and the International Contact Group, was committed “in a big way’’ to the talks between the government and former fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Del Rosario said.

“They are also very committed to helping in terms of the development programs there,’’ Del Rosario told reporters in Malacañang.

Visiting Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida called on President Aquino in Malacañang, on Thursday, after earlier meeting with Del Rosario.

After signing a preliminary deal in October 2012 setting up a Bangsamoro territory, the Philippine government and the MILF have been threshing out some key issues prior to crafting a comprehensive final agreement.

Japan was also gung-ho on pouring investments in the country in view of the improved economic environment, the Secretary said.

“A new Philippines is being presented and the Japanese are very much interested in upping their investment activities in the Philippines. And one area of possible investors, which we are pursuing with in an aggressive fashion are the SMEs (small and medium enterprises) – the Japanese SMEs,’’ he said.

The Japanese government would also help the country build and operate Light Railway Transit extension lines, including LRT 1-South to Cavite, and LRT 2-East to Antipolo City, as well as the Bohol airport, Del Rosario said.

“We also discussed official development assistance (ODA). We discussed the political approaches to the strategic partnership—the strategic bilateral dialogue that will take place. In the area of ODA, we discussed certain projects such as those projects of infrastructure that would be supported by the Japanese government,’’ he said.

According to earlier reports, the conglomerate DMCI Holdings Inc. would team up with Japan’s Marubeni Corp. for the P60-billion public-private partnership project to operate and maintain LRT 1 (Light Rail Transit Line 1), an official of the local firm said on Friday.

The LRT line 1 extension project runs from Baclaran in Pasay City to Imus, Cavite.

Another train project is the LRT line 2 East Extension from Sampaloc, Marikina, to Antipolo’s Masinag Junction.