The newly appointed Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Baba Takashi, has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to strengthen disaster resilience in the Philippines.
Takashi made this commitment during a courtesy visit to OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, alongside outgoing Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto, according to a statement released by the OCD on Tuesday.
The partnership seeks to enhance disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) strategies, focusing on community safety and preparedness.
Discussions centered on adopting innovative solutions to improve early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and response capabilities, with Takashi highlighting Japan’s wealth of expertise in disaster resilience.
“The forward-looking discussions with the Office of Civil Defense highlight the importance of mutual learning and sharing best practices,” said outgoing JICA Chief Representative Sakamoto.
“As common natural hazard-prone countries within the Pacific Ring of Fire, we need to share tips and lessons learned mutually to develop our Disaster Risk Reduction capacity, especially as we prepare for ‘The Big One,” he added.
Nepomuceno echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the critical role of Japanese engineering expertise in addressing the Philippines’ vulnerability to disasters.
“Japan’s disaster-resilient architecture serves as a model for us,” he said. “We must implement engineering solutions that can withstand extreme hazards, particularly as we prepare for ‘The Big One,’ the anticipated major earthquake,” he added.
Over the past three years, JICA has launched more than 70 new projects in the Philippines, spanning transportation, flood control, health, and agriculture. The agency has also prioritized capacity building, training over 800 Filipino professionals to enhance local governance and public service delivery.