Japan assists Marawi reconstruction program

On March 15, Ambassador Koji Haneda attended the Ceremonial Handover of Japanese Construction Heavy Machineries and the Signing Ceremony of the Exchange of Notes with the UN-Habitat for Marawi Rehabilitation in Marawi City. From the Philippine side, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Secretary Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Assistant Secretary Felix Castro from Bangon Marawi, Vice Governor Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, and Mayor Majul Gandamra of Marawi City joined the ceremony. From the UN-Habitat, Christopher Rollo, Country Program Manager of UN-Habitat Philippines attended the ceremony.

In the ceremony, Ambassador Haneda turned over in total of 27 large, high-quality Japanese heavy machineries that are provided with Japan’s grant to the Philippine government. The provision of these heavy machineries is based on the exchange of notes that was singed during a summit meeting between Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister in November 2017. They are provided to support the Philippines’ efforts in rehabilitating and rebuilding Marawi and its surrounding areas. These large, high-quality construction heavy machineries are expected to greatly contribute to the Philippines’ rehabilitation efforts.