Japan continues to be the Philippines’ largest source of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2024, contributing $13.23 billion, or approximately one-third of the country’s total ODA portfolio, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said in a media release.
This is highlighted in the 2024 ODA Portfolio Review Report released by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), reflecting the ongoing strong partnership and commitment between the two nations to foster inclusive and sustainable development.
The long-standing collaboration between Japan and the Philippines spans over seven decades, with much of the support channeled through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the official ODA executing agency of the Government of Japan.
In 2024, Japan supported 82 active loans and grants across various sectors such as transport infrastructure, governance, disaster risk reduction, and regional peacebuilding, all aligned with JICA’s priority areas: sustainable economic growth, human security for inclusive development, and peacebuilding in Mindanao.
- Among the major projects funded by Japan are key infrastructure initiatives that aim to significantly improve the lives of Filipinos:
- Metro Manila Subway Project: This project will reduce travel time between Quezon City and the airport from over an hour to just 40 minutes, easing congestion and cutting costs for commuters while reducing pollution.
- North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System: Connecting Clark to Laguna, this will benefit about 800,000 commuters daily, facilitating easier access to markets for small business owners and informal vendors.
- Davao City Bypass: In Mindanao, this project will significantly cut travel time for farmers and agricultural traders, reducing spoilage and boosting incomes in rural communities.
- Road Network Development in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao: These roads will improve access to schools, hospitals, and economic opportunities in long-neglected provinces, reconnecting isolated areas to municipal centers and trade routes.
These large-scale transport initiatives are part of Japan’s broader effort to address mobility and regional development challenges in the Philippines.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 ODA Portfolio Review Report in July 2025, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan emphasized the importance of projects like the NSCR and Metro Manila Subway for alleviating congestion, improving logistics, and promoting inclusive growth.
Japan’s support also extends to addressing everyday challenges faced by Filipino families, from flood forecasting systems to maritime vessels that protect livelihoods. JICA continues to impact communities through skills training, disaster relief, and improved access to healthcare and other essential services.
Through its robust partnership with the Philippines, Japan’s development assistance, particularly through JICA, is helping create tangible, lasting benefits for Filipino communities, advancing shared goals for an inclusive and sustainable future.
JICA is the world’s largest bilateral aid agency, with operations amounting to ¥2,808.7 billion for JFY 2023 and a network of nearly 100 overseas offices, including one in the Philippines.
