JICA disburses additional P4.7 billion for disaster recovery

MANILA, Philippines — The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has disbursed another 10 billion yen (around P4.7 billion) to the Philippines under the Post Disaster Standby Loan 2 (PDSL 2) facility to support recovery efforts following the onslaught of strong typhoons in the last quarter of 2020.

The amount forms part of the 50-billion yen loan extended in September to ensure the availability of contingency funds for post-disaster recovery in the event of natural disasters and public health threats.

The latest disbursement followed the declaration of a state of calamity in the entire island of Luzon because of the destruction caused by Typhoons Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses to infrastructure and agriculture.

“As partners for inclusive development, JICA is supporting the Philippines with available financial resources to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and health crisis,” said JICA Philippines chief representative Eigo Azukizawa.

An earlier disbursement of 10 billion yen from the loan was made following the extension of the state of calamity nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Sept. 16.

Other than the PDSL 2, JICA also extended a 50 billion yen assistance through the COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan signed in July and released in August.

The first PDSL was extended to the Philippines in 2013 to support recovery efforts from Typhoon Yolanda that devastated Leyte.

JICA, the official development assistance arm (ODA) of the Japanese government, is the top ODA partner of the Philippines with loans and grants amounting to $8.51 billion as of 2019, making up 39 percent of the total ODA portfolio.