 |
|
| Japan's assurance on JPEPA should dispel allegations of "planned" toxic waste dumping in RP -- Bunye |
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assurance Saturday that his country would not dump toxic wastes in the Philippines should finally put to rest all allegations and speculations on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said today. In his weekly column "The View from the Palace" which comes out Monday (Dec. 11), Bunye said Abe’s assurance should also move the Senate to immediately ratify the agreement so that the two countries’ residents could benefit from it. "The assurance made by Prime Minister Abe should dispel once and for all the unfounded allegations and speculations about the JPEPA and we expect that this will result to its speedy ratification by the Senate," Bunye said. The agreement was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the sidelines of the 6th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM-6) last September in Helsinki, Finland. Under the agreement, duties imposed on almost 95 percent of Philippine exports will be waived while both parties will eliminate tariffs on almost all industrial goods within 10 years from the date the agreement is enforced. Aside from this, overseas Filipino workers, (OFWs), particularly service providers such as nurses and caregivers, will be granted acceptance in Japan. Bunye said the JPEPA was made possible due to the "deeply-rooted partnership" between the two countries "over the years on the basis of mutual respect and common interest." He assured that this partnership will remain intact "in this new era of cooperation in economic development, human security and regional integration." "We stand behind the JPEPA as an instrument for Philippine prosperity and stability and as a monument to our mutually beneficial relationship with Japan," Bunye said. The JPEPA was transmitted by Malacaņang to the Senate for ratification last Nov. 17. |
| PGMA supports Japan's leadership on UNSC Resolution on Pyongyang nuke issue |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her strong support last night to the leadership of Japan on the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) Resolution No. 1718 seeking to impose sanctions on North Korea for violating international laws governing nuclear weapons. The President made the statement in her speech during a state dinner she hosted for visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his delegation at Malacaņang’s Rizal Hall. "And we support Japan’s leadership on the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 on the North Korea issue," the President said. The United Nations earlier condemned the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) last Oct. 9, in flagrant disregard of the UN’s relevant resolutions. Resolution 1718 imposes weapons and financial sanctions against North Korea. President Arroyo had earlier joined the rest of the world leaders in urging the North Korean government to drop its development of weapons of mass destruction and "shift its focus on regional collaboration rather than intimidation." She hoped the United Nations Security Council would be able to resolve the issue and convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Japan, the only nation to have been attacked with nuclear weapons in connection with the Second World War, is one of the permanent members of the UNSC, the others being Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States. In her speech, the President also welcomed the assistance of Japan in the continued development of Mindanao and the Philippine government’s campaign to weed out the terrorism threat in the country as well as the Asian region. The President disclosed that in addition to economic assistance, trade, investment, and tourism, the Philippines and Japan agreed to focus on security aspect to be included in the bilateral relations of the two countries. "We welcome an important help from Japan in the fight against terrorism in our region," she said. Aside from security assistance, the President also welcomed the Japanese government’s new initiative in economic cooperation such as in energy efficiency and disaster management capability building of the Philippines. On the postponement for January 2007 of the 12th ASEAN Summit originally scheduled in Cebu City Dec. 10-14 because of typhoon "Seniang," the President said that as the chair of the ASEAN, the Philippines is responsible for the safety and well-being of the summit participants in the face of inclement weather. "Our responsibility to the Filipino people also lies in preparing to the best we can for the possible onslaught of another strong typhoon. This is a two-way process: we are concerned for the leaders and they are also concerned for our people – truly in the spirit of a caring and sharing community," the President stressed. She also assured Prime Minister Abe that there has been no setback in the progress of the ASEAN agenda and process despite the postponement of the scheduled Summit. For his part, Abe thanked the President and the entire Filipino nation for the rare kind of hospitality accorded him and his delegation during his three-day official visit to the Philippines. It was also his first visit to the country after he was elected as Prime Minister of Japan last September. He assured the President that under his leadership, Japan and the Philippines will continue to have robust relations. |
| PGMA, Abe inaugurates LRTA 3G trains |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe inaugurated today the third generation (3G) trains of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) that will mark a new phase in the government's program to provide fast, safe and efficient transportation in Metro Manila. The 3G trains will boost the carrying capacity and efficiency of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and help decongest traffic in Metro Manila. The two leaders held a bilateral meeting this morning in Malacanang after which they motored to the LRTA Operations Control Center on Aurora Blvd. in Pasay City. Upon their arrival at the LRTA compound, the President and the visiting Japanese leader cut the ribbon, signaling the formal operation of the 48 fully air-conditioned and ultra-modern light rail vehicles. They then boarded a train for the test run from the LRTA Compound in Pasay to the LRT Quirino Station in Malate, Manila. The new set of 12 four-car LRVs will augment LRTA's existing 63 first generation and 28 second generation LRVs. In an earlier statement, Abe said the new trains under the Phase 2 of the LRT Line 1 Capacity Expansion (CAPEX) project will provide LRTA more comfortable rides sans the usual heavy traffic experienced by bus and jeepney commuters. "Railways have certainly contributed indispensable measures to making Japan a very progressive and efficient nation. I am glad to note that the Philippine government (under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) is equally committed to providing fast, safe, and efficient transportation for all its citizens," Abe said. In his welcome remarks, LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles said that the government of Japan has been extending financial support to major LRTA projects since 1993, the latest of which is the CAPEX. The CAPEX is funded by P8.893 billion loan under the first stage of the Obuchi Fund. The loan is payable in 30 years at a concessional interest rate of 1 percent per annum. Composed of two packages, Package A of the loan consists of the acquisition of 12 four-car trains and related system and civil works, including the major renovations at the EDSA and Doroteo Jose stations, which links the Line 1 system of the MRT Line 3 and LRT Line 2 systems, respectively. Package A also involves the installation of
escalators and elevators and a cross-over bridge at the Doroteo Jose station, improvements
in other stations to resolve the perennial queue of passengers at the ticket booth, gates
and access ways, and the construction of a modern Operations Control Center at the depot
area to centralize control operation in the On the other hand, Package B, which has already been completed, involves the installation of air-conditioning units in the old fleet. Robles said the CAPEX project was undertaken in preparation for the construction of the North Line linking LRT Line 1 Monumento Station to Metrostar Express in North EDSA station and South Line extensions from Baclaran station to Bacoor, Cavite. |
| RP, Japan sign 3 agreements to further boost bilateral ties |
Three important documents expected to further strengthen 50 years of strong diplomatic and economic ties between the Philippines and Japan were signed today by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other concerned government officials in Malacanang. In simple rites held at Malacanang’s Reception Hall, the first document signed by the two leaders was the Philippines-Japan Joint Statement: Partnership Between Close Neighbors for Comprehensive Cooperation. The Joint Statement highlights various aspects of cooperation between the two countries, including the promotion of policy dialogues, the entry into force of economic agreements, promotion of peace in Mindanao, cooperation in energy, disaster management, human exchanges and cultural activities, and in regional and global issues. The second document signed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Ryuichiro Yamazaki was the Exchange of Notes on the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project costing 8.5 billion yen or US 73.7 million. The project, funded under the 26th Yen Loan Package, is intended to alleviate massive flooding in the National Capital Region by improving riverbanks and flood control structures of the Pasig-Marikina Rivers. The third agreement signed by Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Ambassador Yamazaki was the Protocol Amending the Convention between Japan and the Philippines for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income. The protocol will partially amend the existing Tax Treaty signed in 1980 aimed to reduce taxes imposed on dividends, interest and royalties paid between the two countries. It also expands the scope of the tax sparing credit while introducing a time limitation on its availability. Immediately after the signing of the documents, Japanese delegation representative Nazafumi Nagaishi presented to President Arroyo the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) as part of Japan’s contribution to the ongoing Mindanao Peace Process. A day before the arrival in Manila of Prime Minister Abe on Friday night, papers for 12 grassroots projects worth US$624,515 and intended for the conflict- affected areas in Southern Philippines had been signed. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Japan is the Philippines’ second largest trading partner, with the total trade amounting $14.85 billion in 2005. Japan is also one of the top investors in the country. In 2005, Japanese investment in the Philippines increased to $4.20 billion, mostly in manufacturing and construction. Cooperation between the Philippines and Japan has focused on development, particularly the Japan’s Overseas Development Assistance to strengthen the economic structure for sustainable growth, poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, and human resources development and institution building. |
| PGMA meets with visiting Japanese PM in Malacanang |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met this morning in Malacaņang and discussed bilateral concerns dominated by meaningful developments during 50 years of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Japan from 1956 to 2006. Abe, accompanied by his wife, Madame Akei Abe, arrived in Manila Friday night for his first official visit to the Philippines as Prime Minister. His two-day visit also highlights the celebration of the Golden anniversary of the normalization of Philippines-Japan diplomatic relations after the end of World War II. Prime Minister Abe and his wife arrived at Malacaņang grounds at exactly 9:10 a.m. today and were welcomed by the President and First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo. Right after the arrival honors, President Arroyo and Prime Minister Abe made a ceremonial walk at the Palace grounds and introduced their official members. This was followed with the signing of the Presidential Guest Book at the Palace Stairway Landing. The two leaders then walked to the reception area for a brief photo opportunity before proceeding to the Aguinaldo State Dining Room for an expanded bilateral meeting. After the bilateral meeting, the two leaders signed the Philippines-Japan Joint Statement on Partnership Between Close Neighbors for Comprehensive Cooperation. They also witnessed the signing of the Exhange of Notes on the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, the Protocol Amending the Convention between Japan and the Philippines for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income, and the presentation of Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) or contribution to the Mindanao Peace Process. President Arroyo and Prime Minister Abe later motored to the Operations Control Building of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) along Aurora Blvd. in Pasay City for the ceremonial run of the Japanese-made 3rd Generation trains of the LRT which will begin servicing Metro Manila commuters on the LRT Line 1 from Caloocan City to Baclaran, Paranaque City next week. |
| PGMA set to welcome visiting Japanese PM in Malacanang Saturday |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will officially welcome in Malacanang on Saturday morning Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who will be arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City tonight for his first official visit to the country from Dec. 8-10. The visit of Abe, accompanied by his wife, Madame Akie Abe, will further strengthen the close relations between the Philippines and Japan which are celebrating this year the 50th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic ties following the Second World War. His first official visit to the Philippines coincides with the holding of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu on Dec. 10-14. Japan is among ASEAN’s six dialogue partners. After the arrival honors for Prime Minister Abe and his wife at Malacanang grounds, President Arroyo and the Japanese leader will have their meeting at the Music Room of the Palace. It will be followed by an expanded bilateral meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room. During Abe’s visit, the two countries will sign several documents, including an Exchange of Notes for Japan’s Economic Cooperation, Japan-Philippines Taxation treaties, Joint Statement, and Introduction of Japan’s Contribution to Mindanao Peace Process. In the expanded bilateral meeting, President Arroyo and Prime Minister Abe are expected to discuss Japan’s contribution to the Mindanao Peace Process, particularly its participation in the International Monitoring Team, continued cooperation in disaster preparedness and mitigation, and the resumption of yen loan development projects. After the talks, the two leaders will motor to the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) compound along Aurora Blvd. in Pasay City for the inaugural run ceremony of the 3rd Generation (3G) trains and launching of the LRT Line 1 Capacity Expansion Project II. The objective of the project is to increase the capacity of LRT Line 1 from 27,000 passengers per hour per direction to 40,000, enabling it to catch up and absorb the projected increase in passengers demand brought about by the interconnection of Line 2 and Line 1 at Doroteo Jose Station in Manila, Line 3 to Line 1 at EDSA Station and the Line 1 Extension to Cavite. On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Abe will proceed to Cebu to attend the summit of the ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners. |
