Coast Guard to get ship, radar from Japan

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is hoping to receive a ship, radar and communication facilities and other maritime assistance for its Coast Guard following President Aquino’s official working visit to Japan.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro said Aquino and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda are also expected to discuss the West Philippine Sea issue as a “regional” concern during the four-day working visit beginning tomorrow until Sept. 28.

Lazaro though clarified there would be no exchange of notes on the issue but only “exchange of views” on the need to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The President will undertake an official working visit to Japan on the invitation of the Japanese government.

In the course of his visit, Aquino will pay a state call on Emperor Akihito, who will be hosting a court luncheon in his honor.

Aquino will also have a meeting with Noda to discuss the advancement of bilateral relations and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.

Lazaro said Japan has promised to provide the 9.2- billion yen loan package for the Philippines.

Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments chief Cristino Panlilio also disclosed some $1.1 billion in investments is expected from the trip.

Asked if Japan would provide the Philippines maritime assistance, Lazaro responded positively.

“Actually, yes. But, you see, the process was not finished. We’re leaving already on Sunday (but) the process was… there is still a protracted process for such a support that they are giving. But if you ask specifically what that is, they’re looking into the prospect of providing communication facilities to the Philippine Coast Guard,” Lazaro told a press briefing at Malacañang yesterday.

She said there had been “mention” about a ship “but no finality” yet.

Lazaro also explained the West Philippine Sea issue would be raised because of Japan’s support on all efforts to seek peaceful resolution to the dispute. She said the discussions between Aquino and Noda on the issue would be “significant.”

But “there will be merely an exchange of views” within the context of maritime security, she said.

“It’s really an issue under regional discussions,” Lazaro said.

She said there would be no exchange of notes because “that is a very formal document.”

Lazaro said she could not comment on what the Japanese prime minister would say on the matter, citing the lines of communication, the navigation as well as a myriad of other issues like environmental concerns as well as disaster mitigation, is in that context.

She said the West Philippine Sea issue would be tackled along with “climate change, and the whole gamut of regional issues.”

Lazaro said the issue would also be discussed especially after the President’s “very successful state visit” to China.

She said the discussion on the West Philippine Sea issue with Japan should not anger China, which had been seeking a bilateral solution to the dispute with the Philippines and other claimants while Manila has been pushing for a multilateral and regional solution.

“This exchange of views will be merely a reflection of what has been discussed by the President during his recent (China) visit,” she said.

She said issues on defense would also be tackled and the Philippines will take the opportunity to thank Japan for assisting some 300,000 Filipino seafarers in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia.

“They have been, in a way, assisting our seafarers who are subject to the issues in this area – of piracy – and, therefore, this is one of those issues that we’re also thanking the Japanese government for. But basically on your question, it’s more of a general discussion because on a military level, there are certain layers or levels that are specific (in) their discussions on defense cooperation,” she said.

Loan assistance

As regards the 9.2-billion yen loan package, Lazaro said the projects were approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and would include three river basins with particular emphasis on disaster management as well as tackling climate change.

“If I recall correctly, this is a global facility which was given by Japan some years back and we were one of the few to be able to give this project that augurs well for climate change,” she said.

There have been reports that the funding for some of these projects had been suspended, as Japan had to use its own resources for reconstruction following the tragedies that hit that country in March.

But Lazaro said Japan has already informed the Philippines that despite their difficulties, they will sustain the amount of overseas development assistance.

“It will not go a cent lower,” Lazaro said.

She said there was also assistance for Mindanao as Japan had been consistently supportive of the development of the south.

“They (Japan) are a member of the IMT (International Monitoring Team), they’re a member of the ICG – the International Contact Group (for the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front) – and they have this project which they call the JBIRD (Japan Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development),” Lazaro said.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said Aquino would also promote the Philippines in Japan as an investment destination.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said there would be around 80 businessmen who would join Aquino on the trip.  – With Pia Lee-Brago