The Philippine government has sought the ideas and expertise of the Japanese Agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the completion and development of hte Subic Master Plan.
Many of you might not be aware of what the Subic Master Plan is – let us tell you quite a few details about it.
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What is the Subic Master Plan?
The Subic Bay Gateway Park (SBGP) is a plan to transform the site into an industrial and commercial park by performing updates and developments to its master plan. The Subic Bay Development and Management Corporation, Inc or the SBDMC is tasked to make this a reality.
The SBGP plan is a plan to maximize and boost tourism as well as the productivity of the said site. If you’re interested to see the plan; what it does and what it is, click here!
Just today, the Department of Finance (DOF) said that they have asked for the help and support of JICA to formulate and come up with a plan that would ultimately boost the potential of Subic Bay to attract tourists and visitors.
Back on the 6th of December, both the Philippines and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) which signified Japan’s commitment to provide and assist the Philippines in forming and drafting a master plan targeted to improve and boost Subic Bay’s economic and tourism potential.
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This regional development master plan will be designed and used to maximize the said location’s potential in all aspects.
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, Department of Finance (DOF) Chair of the Senate, said that he was told by the Secretary that JICA would be updating the current Subic Master Plan.
I was informed by the secretary that they are engaging JICA to update the Subic masterplan.”
What would the Subic Master Plan be?
Based on the statements taken from the Finance department, the master plan that would be formulated would detail and outline projects in the Subic Bay area as well as its surrounding areas.
This would include road network developments, the fields of technological advances, terminal development, disaster risk management, and a lot more! Overall, the Subic Master Plan would be the brainchild of a change that would boost the said location’s economy and tourism potential.
In a statement, the Department of Finance said that leaders of both the countries, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, participated in the meeting back on the 4th of November commemorating the 35th ASEAS Summit in Thailand.
The two leaders affirmed that the Japanese assistance is a testament to the deepening strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.”
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Japan in helping the Philippines
Since then, Japan, as well as South Korea has been the two (2) countries that have been our saviors in terms of assisting us and giving aid to us and our plans. Since Duterte’s seat in Presidency, a lot of projects and infrastructure ideals have been mapped out.
Through it all, Manila (Philippines) and Tokyo (Japan) apparently engaged in about ten (10) loan agreements via the Build, Build, Build! program. The Japanese government, Japanese firms, and companies have provided sufficient funding support and assistance for big infrastructure projects and this went on and started since the year 2016.
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In fact, a lot of agreements and positive acts have been happening between the Philippines and Japan. A lot of jobs available for Filipinos, multiple-entry visa to Japan – easier for Filipinos and many more!
This time around, Japan will be giving aid to us by helping us finalize and formulate the Subic Master Plan to boost that part of the country’s economic standing and boost tourism. Now, the JICA would be updating the master plan for the development of Subic Bay’s surrounding areas.
What do you think about the act of Japan taking over, updating the current stature of the Subic Master Plan? Is it just right to heed help from them? Would they be able to improve and develop the current plan we have? And can they continue on, providing us unnerving support financially?
Hopefully, the plans for Subic Bay as well as regions around it will flourish so that thousands, if not millions of tourists can feel and experience the positive change that the Duterte Administration has been wanting.
Source/s: The Philippine Star | ABS-CBN News