Taxing JICA-funded projects

 Economy
Mar 122017
 

For many years now, the Government of Japan has been one of the largest providers of bilateral assistance to the Philippines. The Philippines undertakes several projects funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans or grant aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
To preserve the JICA fund strictly for the execution of appropriate projects, the Governments of Japan and the Philippines have agreed, under an Exchange of Notes, on a tax assumption scheme, whereby the Philippine Government will assume all fiscal levies and taxes due from Japanese companies operating as suppliers, contractors and/or consultants, and from Japanese employees in the Philippines, in relation to the implementation of such projects.

Phl needs P2.3 T to fix transpo system – JICA

 Economy
Nov 122013
 
Phl needs P2.3 T to fix transpo system – JICA

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government will have to spend a total of P2.293 trillion from next year until 2030 to improve its transport system and fix the traffic problem in the Greater Capital Region which covers Metro Manila, Central Luzon and the CALABARZON (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), according to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Speaking at the Management Association of the Philippines’ Special General Membership Meeting yesterday, JICA project manager Shizuo Iwata said that based on a roadmap prepared by the agency for transport infrastructure development in Metro Manila and surrounding areas, the investment would be used for projects to address the worsening traffic congestion in the area. Among the projects being pushed by the JICA is to connect the North and South Luzon Expressways. “We already have good expressways in north and south but it is not connected. It can contribute in reduction in EDSA traffic,” he said. Connecting the two expressways, he said, would also lead to improved port access which would be beneficial for operations of businesses. Aside from linking the expressways, the JICA is also proposing to elevate the rail tracks of the Philippine National Railways in Metro Manila, as well as to build a new subway from San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan until Dasmarinas in Cavite, so that new roads could be created. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 He noted that if the investment is made,the country would be able to generate savings in vehicle operating costs amounting to P2.1 billion Read More …

JICA urges PH to review building code, ensure stronger structures

 News
Oct 172013
 
JICA urges PH to review building code, ensure stronger structures

By Allan A. NawalInquirer Mindanao 9:10 am | Friday, October 18th, 2013 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The Philippine government must take “urgent steps to protect public infrastructure from natural disasters,” the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said. In a statement sent out on Wednesday following the devastating Bohol earthquake, JICA had quoted a recent speech by Tatsuo Narafu, its senior advisor on architectural mitigation for disaster, in urging the Philippine government to take steps toward a more resilient infrastructure. Narafu, speaking before a recent forum on infrastructure safety and resiliency—which was sponsored by the World Bank—said among the steps needed to be taken to improve the resiliency of public infrastructure and facilities to protect it from natural disasters would be a review of the national building code. He said resilient infrastructure could actually contribute to saving lives. Narafu said similar actions were taken by the Japanese government following the massive devastation caused by 1995 “Great” Hanshin Awaji earthquake, during which, more than 5,000 people were killed and nearly 35,000 others  were injured. Of the more than 100,000 structures destroyed by the tremor, 38,321 completely collapsed, including a large portion of the Hansin Expressway, which links Kobe and Osaka. Narafu said more stringent measures were taken by the Japanese government following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that killed 15,883 people. During that earthquake, more than 400,000 structures across 20 prefectures were damaged. “We recommend a review of the building codes in the Philippines as well as enhancing the capacity Read More …

Japan to extend tech assistance for Bangsamoro formation

 News
Jul 232013
 
Japan to extend tech assistance for Bangsamoro formation

By Michelle V. RemoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:51 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has agreed to take on a major role in helping form the Bangsamoro government that is hoped to bring sustainable peace and development in Mindanao and is targeted to be operational by 2016. In a press conference Tuesday, JICA officials said the Japanese government-funded institution shall extend technical assistance to concerned people in Mindanao to help prepare them for 2016. Cristina Santiago, senior program officer at JICA, said the technical assistance shall run for three years. Signing of the technical assistance agreement will be held on Thursday. JICA shall be represented by Takahiro Sasaki, chief representative to the Philippines. The Bangsamoro people shall be represented by Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the Transition Commission for the establishment of the Bangsamoro government. The technical assistance, valued at $7 million (about P300 million), covers the formulation of medium- and long-term development plans for Mindanao. The assistance shall come in the form of a grant. The assistance likewise includes training of concerned people in Mindanao on areas of public administration, public budgeting and finance, management, and details of a parliamentary form of government. Chikaraishi Juro, senior advisor at JICA, said in the press conference that people in charge of forming the Bangsamoro government prefer having a parliamentary system in the belief such will be effective in instituting needed security, social, and economic programs in Read More …