JICA, DPWH sign technical cooperation for bridge, tunnel capacity building

The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have signed a technical cooperation agreement to boost capacity for bridge replacement and rehabilitation, as well as road tunnel construction. The agreement also covers urban drainage management

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed a technical cooperation agreement to boost Philippine capacity for carrying out bridge replacement and rehabilitation as well as for building road tunnels.

In a statement, the two sides formalised the implementation of three technical cooperation projects to help address Philippine critical infrastructure challenges. The project for capacity development in road structures and large-scale bridge replacement and rehabilitation (LBRR) will involve the provision of technical expertise in rehabilitating old road structures, which includes infrastructure along the main Metro Manila artery EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue).

“Through the formulation of an evidence-based LBRR Plan and the deployment of Japanese experts, the project supports the development of safer and more sustainable transport infrastructure,” it said.

JICA and the DPWH also signed agreements to strengthen urban drainage management capacity in the Philippines (TCP urban drainage) and to build capacity for the comprehensive development and management of road tunnels.

“The project will be closely coordinated with JICA’s ongoing flood control cooperation in the Pasig-Marikina River Basin to ensure that drainage improvements in the Buendia-Maricaban area are aligned with broader basin-wide flood management strategies, maximising the effectiveness of future flood mitigation measures,” it said.