Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya marked two milestones in Japan-Philippines relations Monday, attending the turnover of a major hydropower facility and hosting a ceremony to honor a former cabinet official.

Endo participated in the ceremonial turnover of the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) Pumped-Hydro Power Plant. The facility has been a critical component of the Luzon power grid since 2005, when Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. and J-Power first joined its operations. Operating 24 hours a day, the plant provides essential ancillary services to maintain a stable electricity supply for millions of households.

The plant is expected to play a larger role in the nation’s shift toward renewable energy. As the Philippines expands its solar and wind power capabilities, pumped-hydro storage serves as a vital tool to balance the intermittency of those energy sources. The facility’s operations now include a partnership with the Aboitiz Group, a move expected to further stabilize power distribution across Luzon.

Later that evening, the ambassador hosted a reception at his residence to present the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to former Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista. The decoration, part of the 2025 Autumn Conferment on Foreign Nationals, recognizes Bautista’s work in strengthening bilateral ties in the aviation and railway sectors.

Bautista, who served as transportation secretary from 2022 to 2025, was cited for his role in the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s management. During the ceremony, Endo commended the former secretary’s commitment to deepening the partnership between the two nations.