GMA returns from Tokyo

President Arroyo returned home from a three-day state visit to Japan last night with a 6.7-billion yen Japanese pledge to undertake socio-economic development in Mindanao and to improve Metro Manila’s fire-fighting capability.

Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corp. also promised to invest $100 million to build various geothermal power plants in Mindanao.

Mrs. Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi witnessed the signing of two major bilateral agreements in Tokyo by Ambassador Domingo Siazon Jr. and Japanese Ambassador Kojiro Takano.

During the state visit Wednesday, Compostela Valley Gov. Jose Caballero, a member of Mrs. Arroyo’s official party, suffered a heart attack.

Caballero was taken to a hospital in Tokyo, where he is now in stable condition.

Doctors have advised Caballero, who was traveling with his wife, to rest for a week in hospital.

Worth 1.5 million yen, the first agreement is a counter-value fund of Japan’s non-project grant assistance, which would be used for economic and social development for peace building in Mindanao.

Japan has strongly supported the policy of the Arroyo administration to promote the fight against poverty and terrorism.

The second agreement promised at least 5.2 billion yen to enhance the capability of fire-fighting units in various cities and municipalities in Metro Manila.

Under the project, Metro Manila’s fire-fighting network would be developed –30 new fire stations would be constructed, and 124 other stations and 22 central fire stations would be renovated.

Some P2.3 billion would be released for the project under Japan’s special yen loan package.

Fire-fighting and communications equipment would also be acquired, along with 81 firetrucks and 855 sets of radio and accessories to ensure the sustainable operation of the fire departments in Metro Manila.

Mrs. Arroyo met Tohru Tusji, Marubeni president and chief executive officer, in her suite at the Akasaka Palace guest house in Tokyo.

Tusji told Mrs. Arroyo Marubeni had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine National Oil Co. and the Energy Development Corp. to construct a 100-megawatt geothermal power plant in various parts of Mindanao.

Marubeni has built the majority of power plants of the National Power Corp. –Marichu Villanueva, AFP