Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Endo Kazuya attended the commissioning ceremony of the submarine cable maintenance vessel VEGA II on 27 March 2025, marking a significant milestone in the Philippines’ efforts to enhance its telecommunications infrastructure.

The commissioning began with a ship tour at the Port of Manila and concluded with a reception at the Manila Hotel. The VEGA II, which will operate as a Philippine-flagged vessel, is expected to boost submarine cable maintenance operations in Philippine waters while creating more job opportunities for Filipino workers.

Developed by NTT WE Marine, a Japanese firm recognized for its cutting-edge technology in cable maintenance, the VEGA II is positioned to improve the reliability and efficiency of the country’s telecommunications systems. The company is also celebrating 25 years of operations in the Philippines.

In his speech, Ambassador Endo emphasized the importance of capacity building in telecom infrastructure, stating that “a greater level of trust and reliability can be achieved in an increasingly interconnected world.”