From Japan, help

From Japan, help | Daily Tribune

The Japan International Cooperation Agency released the first tranche of the Post-Disaster Standby Loan Phase 3 amounting to 10-billion Japanese Yen (approximately P3.7 billion) to support the Philippine government’s response, recovery and rehabilitation efforts following the widespread damage caused by typhoon “Tino.”

The disbursement was made upon the request of the Department of Finance after a State of National Calamity was declared due to the severe impacts of the typhoon. The PDSL3 is a financing facility that allows the Philippine government to swiftly mobilize funds to meet urgent post-disaster needs and manage financial pressures during periods of crisis.

This mechanism is particularly important for the Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, where extreme weather events regularly place sudden and substantial demands on government resources.

In November 2025, typhoon “Tino” (international name: Kalmaegi) struck multiple parts of the country, bringing heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides that affected communities across several regions. Based on consolidated situation reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the typhoon affected hundreds of thousands of families nationwide.

JICA chief representative Baba Takashi highlights the significant humanitarian and economic strain that disasters continue to place on vulnerable communities. Further noting that, “By making critical funds available, the PDSL3 enables the Philippine government to sustain response operations, ensure the continuity of vital public services and transition into early recovery and reconstruction.”

Signed through a loan agreement in August 2023, the PDSL3 is a 30-billion JPY facility to support quick recovery after a natural disaster. Prior to that, the first phase of PDSL was activated in 2013 following typhoon “Yolanda,” providing urgent budgetary support during one of the most destructive disasters in the country’s history. The PDSL Phase 2 was disbursed in 2020 to help the government address the unprecedented fiscal challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and other natural disasters.

Aside from PDSL, JICA also provided emergency relief goods for the affected families of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu last 30 September, 2025, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development in October 2025.

JICA continues to stand with the Philippines as a steadfast partner in recovery and rehabilitation.