Japan raises loan, typhoon aid to Phl

TOKYO (via Smart/PLDT) – The Japanese government increased its standby loan for the Philippines to $500 million (50 billion yen) and gave an additional $63 million (6.6 billion yen) grants-in-aid to help the country deal with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Appearing before the media after their working lunch yesterday at the Prime Minister’s official residence here, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Aquino discussed the assistance for the rehabilitation of typhoon-hit areas.

Abe said Japan would provide necessary assistance in the recovery and reconstruction processes in coordination with the Philippines.

“I wish that the 50-billion yen standby loan, which has just been signed, and the new 6.6-billion yen grant aid will be fully utilized and the Japanese experts’ knowledge will become useful in making reconstruction plans,” Abe said in his statement.

Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the aid increased from $100 million or ¥10 billion.

Admirable spirit

Abe paid tribute to the Filipinos’ admirable spirit in responding to disasters and again extended his sympathy to Aquino and his people for the immense damage caused by Yolanda to the Philippines.

The Japanese leader cited the special relations between Japan and the Philippines as strategic partners.

He said the Japanese people also wished to reciprocate the warm assistance from the Philippines when their country was hit by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

Aquino conveyed the “deepest gratitude” of the Filipino people to Japanese Emperor Akihito, the Japanese government and the people for the messages of condolences, sympathy and solidarity, and for the assistance they extended and continue to extend to the Philippines in the wake of Yolanda.

“From donations made by private citizens and groups to official aid from the Japanese government, the friendship that Japan has shown us is truly extraordinary,” Aquino said.

“Furthermore, since our initial estimate is that we will be needing about $3 billion to support critical immediate actions and short-term and medium-term interventions post-Yolanda, I am likewise grateful for the exchange of notes on the post-disaster standby loan from Japan. This will definitely help our people get back on their feet at the soonest possible time,” Aquino said.

He thanked Abe for leading efforts to help the Philippines, saying “your generosity toward our people only shows the strength of the relationship between our two countries, and our shared commitment to work together in order to uplift our peoples.”

Aquino said these were also evident in his visit as he and Abe had extensive and productive discussions on matters of mutual interest.

Japan has consistently been one of the Philippines’ top trading partners and this visit allowed them to reaffirm their commitment to stronger economic cooperation.

Aquino and Abe witnessed the signing of the exchange of notes on the post-disaster standby loan.

According to the Department of Finance, the exchange of notes is preparatory to the signing of a loan agreement after the finalization of the Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation plan and/or before the end of the current Japanese fiscal year on March 31, 2014.

As of Dec. 6, Japan has committed to provide assistance to the Philippines worth $53.1 million, including emergency grant aid amounting to $30 million (food, water and sanitation, emergency shelter through United Nations instrumentalities); emergency relief goods up to approximately $607,000 (plastic sheets for shelters, sleeping pads and other necessary commodities); assistance through Japanese non-government organizations of $1.5 million; Japanese fund for poverty reduction of the Asian Development Bank worth $20 million; ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve of $500,000; and assistance through the International Labor Organization (job creation and skills training) worth $500,000.

Japan, according to a brief prepared by Coloma, also sent three batches of disaster relief medical teams to Tacloban City, Leyte and Basey, Samar, which consisted of medical doctors, nurses and support staff, respectively.

On the logistical side, around 1,200 personnel of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces provided assistance to the relief efforts in Tacloban City and Samar province.

They were complemented by three CH-47 transport helicopters; three UH-1 utility helicopters; transport, escort, and supply vessels; two KC-767 air tanker; seven C-130 transport aircraft and a U-4 utility support aircraft.

One million yen donation

Meanwhile, with Aquino as witness, a Japan-Philippine friendship league handed over a one-million yen donation for victims of Yolanda yesterday.

Representatives of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League gave the donation at a courtesy call on the President at the Imperial Hotel here.

League chairman Kenji Kosaka turned over the donation to Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez.

Aquino thanked the group for the help extended by the people of Japan to the Philippines.