PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday, Oct. 30, will meet with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Shinichi Kitaoka regarding the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), which is expected to start construction next year.

Mr. Duterte, as of this reporting on Sunday, was expected to fly Sunday night to Japan, his second visit there, and his first working visit, in a span of one year as Philippine president.

Last Thursday, Oct. 26, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy Takehiro Kano said in a press briefing at Malacañang that Mr. Duterte is expected to further take up with the Japanese government the Manila Subway Project “for realization.”

JICA is the agency that handles the Official Development Assistance (ODA) of the Government of Japan, which assists in the economic and social growth of developing countries.

The Japan-funded subway project has an initial cost of P355.6 billion, up from its original cost assumption of P227 billion.

On Tuesday, Mr. Duterte is scheduled to have an audience with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

To recall, Mr. Duterte’s scheduled meeting with Emperor Akihito during his state visit in Japan last year was cancelled, following the death of the Emperor’s uncle, Prince Mikasa.

Mr. Duterte is also scheduled to meet with descendants of the late Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda. During the meeting, Mr. Duterte will confer posthumously on the late Mr. Fukuda the Order of Sikatuna, national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines, given to foreign nationals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the country.

Mr. Duterte will also meet with Fumio Kishida, chairperson of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council, and Foreign Affairs Minister Taro Kono.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will host a dinner Monday night at his residence. Messrs. Duterte and Abe will discuss in that meeting various issues concerning the region, such as North Korea.

Also expected to be taken up are other infrastructure projects, Japanese support for the Mindanao peace process, the anti-drug campaign, and security and counter-terrorism measures, as well as the reconstruction of Marawi City. — Rosemarie A. Zamora

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