Japan pledges largest ADO to Philippines

MANILA:  Japan  has pledged a USD 2 billion
loan package for the construction of the
Philippines biggest railway project,the
Department of foreign Affairs said Thursday

Foreign Secretary Albert de-Rosairo received
the pledged -the largest  single Official
Development -Assistance given by Japan
so far to  partner-during a meeting with
Japan State Minister for foreign Affairs
Minoru Kiuchi at the sidelines of an ongoing
regional meeting of Southeast Asian Minister
in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday

The loan package is earmarked for the
construction of the first phase of the North-
South Cmmuter-Rail (NSCR) Project a 36.7
kilometre narrow -gauge elevated commuter
railway from Malolos Bulacan to Tutuban
Manila.,

Japan's loan aid ,the DFA said ,follows the
commitment of the Japanese government in
firming up its cooperation with the Philippines
for the said project as  part of both nations,
Cooperation Roadmap for Quality Infrastructure
Development in the Transport Sector in
Metropolitan Manila area<which was agreed
upon during President Benigno Aquino111s
State Visit Japan last June 2-5