Heavy machinery to the tune of 957 million yen (P357 million) will be made available to the Philippines by Japan from its economic and social program to help in the country's disaster recovery.

The grant aid was formalized in  a signing ceremony during the Japan-Philippines Summit last Friday, 3 November, between  Japan Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Kazuhiko Koshikawa and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in the presence of visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The grant recognizes the fact that the Philippines is one of the countries in Southeast Asia with the most natural disasters, and strengthening the country's capacity for early post-disaster recovery, such as the maintenance of heavy machinery, is an urgent issue.

In Cotabato City, Mindanao, which was damaged by typhoon "Paeng" (international name Nalgae) in October 2022, the lack of heavy machinery (bulldozers and trucks) to remove soil from roads and bridges and collapsed houses prevented rapid restoration of transportation infrastructure. As a result, the lives of local residents who could not receive food and supplies promptly were put in danger.

The program is expected to contribute to the country's economic and social development through social stabilization by strengthening the country's capacity for disaster prevention and recovery through the provision of disaster prevention and recovery equipment, including products manufactured by Japanese companies.