TOKYO (Via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
and Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi witnessed the signing of two major agreements,
worth at least Y6.7 billion that would provide for socio-economic development and peace
building in Mindanao and for the improvement of firefighting efforts in Metro Manila.
The signing ceremony yesterday, held at the Prime
Ministers' Residence, was led by Philippine Ambassador to Japan Domingo Siazon and
Japan’s Ambassador to Manila Kojiro Takano.
The ceremony followed a bilateral meeting between
the two leaders Wednesday evening.
The first agreement, worth Y1.5 billion, is a
counter-value fund of Japan's non-project grant assistance. (full story)
