Philippines, Japan Partner for Smart City Solutions

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) held a seminar entitled “New Clark City with Japan: Creating a Smart City with High Quality Infrastructure” to enhance its partnership in developing smart cities.

Gracing the event were the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan, Dr. Hiroto Izumi, Mr. Takuma Hatano, the President and CEO of the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN), Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, National Security Adviser and Director General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and Philippine Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar.

The seminar was led by JETRO Executive Vice President Yasukazu Irino, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, and BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon.

Dr. Izumi said that the relationship between the Philippines and Japan is close and friendly, and focused on urban development initiatives.

“ASEAN nations including the Philippines have achieved rapid economic growth, and they are now facing urban issues and problems Japan had experienced before,” Dr. Izumi said.

Dr. Izumi shared the strengths of Japanese cities from which the Philippines can learn from such as 1) Transit Oriented Development which integrates railway operations to other development areas like offices, residences, and commercial centers, and enhancing of bus networks; and 2) Smart Cities which incorporate various elements such as mobility, nature, safety & security, resource circulation, and use of renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Secretary Dominguez commended the government for being on track in building New Clark City as it will be “the icon for dynamic urban centers that the Philippines intends to nurture.”

“The New Clark City we imagined can be made a reality between Filipino and Japanese enterprises by pulling our talents together and learning from each other. I’m sure we will generate the synergy required to make the city better than our present visioning allows us to grasp,” Dominguez said.

BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon said that the Philippines “has yet to see a city that is truly being built for people.”

“This is the dream for New Clark City and we are fortunate that the Japanese government through JOIN, has collaborated with us in this vision.”

Various Japanese firms such as Hitachi, NEC Corporation, Tokyo Gas, SoftBank Corp. showcased their technologies in smart city solutions that the Philippines can adopt for quality infrastructure development. Such industries include real estate development, information and communications technology, manufacturing, logistics, and smart energy, among others.