THE proposed feasibility study on a provincial development master plan has already been endorsed to the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Director Efren Carreon of the National Economic and Development Authority Central Visayas (NEDA 7), revealed this to the Mega Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) during yesterday’s first quarter meeting in Compostela town.
Carreon was referring to the request for technical assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the feasibility study.
“As far as the government is concerned, that is considered a priority request for assistance from the Japanese government,” he said.
The DFA endorsed the proposal to the embassy last month, but the latter hasn’t given feedback until now.
Carreon said the study will involve the creation of the integrated provincial development master plan, preparation of long-term and medium-term projects, thematic action plans, and feasibility studies on other sub-projects that will be identified later, among others.
JICA, the office in charge of technical cooperation for development, already worked with Mega Cebu in the past.
JICA completed the Metro Cebu Road Map Study for Sustainable Urban Growth and Development in 2015, which was almost three years in the making and cost less than P100 million.
The study covers 13 local government units that make up Metro Cebu.
This time, Carreon said they hope the proposal for a study that covers all LGUs in the province will also be considered by JICA.