Erap to meet with investors in Japan

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor and former President Joseph Estrada said yesterday he is leaving for Japan to meet with investors, from whom he hopes to get funding for the projects he intends to implement in the city.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said he will leave on Sept. 26 for Yokohama to meet the businessmen who invited him.

Estrada said he will be accompanied by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson; Jose Pardo, his former finance secretary; and Philip Medalla, former National Economic Development Authority chief.

“It will be a three-day visit to Yokohama, Japan. I am looking forward to getting donations for the repair of drainages in the entire city of Manila, which are already clogged, to solve our problem on flooding,” Estrada said.

He said he is also closely coordinating with the DPWH to solve the city’s flooding problem, particularly with the Lagusnilad underpass in front of the city hall.

Estrada said the city government is currently concentrating on programs that require little in the way of funds, such as cracking down on illegal vendors, corrupt police officers and operators of illegal gambling dens.