President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the Japanese premier in Malacañang, underscoring the “solid and strategicpartnerships” between Manila and Tokyo. In a joint press statement, Duterte and Abe said the aid package would consist of official development assistance (ODA) and private-sector investments to help the Philippines overhaul its infrastructure. During his official visit to Japan in October, Duterte was able to get 12 business agreements valued at $1.8 billion. The Japanese leader also expressed support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit this year. “And together with you, I am committed to elevating our bilateral relationship to a higher ground covering a wide-range of areas,” Abe said.

Source: Manila Times January 12, 2017 17:09 UTC