JAPAN International Cooperation Agency (Jica) Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema expressed his appreciation to Davao City officials as he paid a farewell courtesy call to City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and other officials before his official term ends in March 2025.
Sakamoto thanked the city officials for their support of Jica’s projects and commitment to expanding Jica’s cooperation in Davao, which he considers his second home.
Sakamoto visited Davao City on February 26 to 27 to meet with Mayor Duterte and other officials. Among those present during his visit were Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain, Coun. Myrna Ortiz, DCIPC Officer in Charge April Marie Dayap, Atty. Francis Mark Layog (City Administrator), Engr. Ivan Cortez (City Planning Development Office Coordinator) and Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo (City Administrator for Administration).
Sakamoto also underscored Jica’s achievements in the last three years, particularly in project implementation, official development assistance (ODA) for Davao big-ticket infrastructure projects, as well as trainings for Bangsamoro officials and staff in Japan.
In return, the city officials conveyed their gratitude to Sakamoto and the Japanese people for advancing development in the city through many projects, including the Davao Bypass Road network, flood control and drainage improvements, and the wastewater management master plan, among others.
The city officials expressed hopes to continue their collaboration with Jica as they requested additional assistance to further boost development in the city and the Mindanao region, aligning specific infrastructure projects to Jica’s cooperation initiatives. PR
