US, Japan boost security, infra assistance to PH

United States and Japan governments are working together to increase assistance – financial, technical and advisory – to the Philippines to enhance the country’s capability to deal with security concerns such as on digital technology and infrastructure.

US Deputy Chief of Mission to the Philippines, John C. Law, said the long-term goal of the US government is to improve and expand the economic and investment relationship between the Philippines and the US, and they are partnering with Japan to ensure prospects materialize and there is sustainable and continued economic domestic growth.

“We think the Japanese are doing a fantastic job on the infrastructure development, but that’s a particular project (Manila Subway) where many US companies are also involved (as subcontractors) we think that there are great opportunities for Japanese and US companies to be working together as they have been and on development assistance … security assistance for example that’s another area where we believe the US and Japan have very similar goals and we can work together to complement each others’ efforts and that’s what has been happening,” Law said on the sidelines of the 45th Philippine Business Conference & Expo hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he talked about the Philippine-US trade and investment relations.

During his presentation, he told PBC participants that on infrastructure, the “US has a targeted approach where we need private sector investments to meet regional needs (and) we believe US resources will have the greatest impact in digital economy, energy and infrastructure sectors.”

Law said that currently, the US government is supporting Philippine government efforts on civil aviation procurement expansion, roll out of the national broadbrand network, and development of cloud-computing capabilities.

“We are confident (that) with coordination with the

American Chamber of