Stepping into this assignment as the Chief Representative of JICA Philippines Office, I do so with great respect for the deep and enduring friendship between our two nations. I once already had the honor to be a Philippine staff in 2008. It is my privilege to be back here with renewed grit to build on our legacy of mutual trust and collaboration.
At a time of pressing local and regional challenges—from climate change and disaster risks to rapid urbanization, and geopolitical shifts—international cooperation plays an increasingly vital role. The path to growth is often riddled with uncertainties, but I recognize one thing that remained consistent is our growing friendship with the Philippines, evident in the many positive changes that have taken place since I was last here.
For decades, JICA has stood alongside the Philippines through Official Development Assistance (ODA) that goes beyond financial and technical support. At its core, our cooperation is about people – uplifting lives, empowering communities, and responding to real needs with practical inclusive, and sustainable solutions. From innovative economic infrastructure to reforms for social equity, to promoting peace in Mindanao—our projects reflect Japan’s long-term commitment to the country’s development journey.
What makes this friendship even more exceptional is the spirit in which we work: thinking together, working together in co-creating change. We have imbibed Filipinos’ bayanihan or powerful sense of community in what we do, inspiring us to foster deeper collaboration in every initiative we undertake. We carry this out through our “OPEN JICA” approach where we encourage strategic collaboration not only with government partners, but also with the private sector and institutional partners, harnessing local expertise and strengthening linkages with academia and civil society. By advancing broader cooperation, our trust value with each other will be more strengthened than ever, enabling our partners to support self-driven efforts that empower resilience, promote quality growth, and ensure no one is left behind.
Going about JICA’s mission, we shall carry forward its commitment to strengthening the heart-to-heart ties that connect our people. Our human connection in everything we undertake is, after all, what gives depth and meaning to our work.
Let us continue to build a future that honors the legacy of the past while meeting the challenges of today – with trust, empathy, and shared purpose.
BABA Takashi
Chief Representative
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