JICA releases ¥10B post-disaster standby loan for Tino recovery

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has released ¥10 billion (P3.7 billion) as part of the first tranche of its Post-Disaster Standby Loan Phase 3 (PDSL3) to bolster the Philippines’ recovery and rehabilitation efforts following Typhoon Tino’s onslaught last year.

In a statement on Tuesday, JICA announced the disbursement of the standby loan following a request from the Department of Finance (DOF).

The release of the funds was triggered after a one-year state of national calamity was declared in response to the severe impact of Tino, which devastated parts of the Visayas and Mindanao in November 2025.

“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,” said JICA Chief Representative Baba Takashi.

The PDSL3 is a financing facility designed to allow the Philippines to swiftly mobilize funds during periods of crisis and ensure that financial pressures do not hinder urgent post-disaster needs.

Takashi noted the significant humanitarian and economic strain that disasters place on vulnerable communities in the Philippines, which is one the most disaster-prone countries in the world.

JICA also reaffirmed its commitment to being a “steadfast partner” in the Philippines’ efforts toward disaster resilience and long-term rehabilitation.

Typhoon Tino brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides across several regions and left hundreds dead and injured.

The PDSL3 is a ¥30 billion facility that was signed in August 2023. It follows a series of similar standby loans from the JICA.

The first phase of the PDSL was activated in 2013 in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda, while Phase 2 was released in 2020 to support the government’s fiscal challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent natural disasters.

The JICA also provided emergency relief goods through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in October 2025 to assist families affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu in September 2025. — JMA, GMA Integrated News