Documents seen by Manila Bulletin showed that Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Frederick D. Go signed the grant agreement on behalf of the Philippine government, while ADB Philippines country director Andrew Jeffries signed for the Manila-based multilateral lender last April 28.

The grant was sourced from the ADB’s Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF), a special facility that provides rapid emergency assistance to developing member countries (DMCs) affected by major disasters.

Unlike loans, grants are not repaid by recipient governments, although these are usually extended in relatively smaller amounts.

The grant agreement specifically covers the Typhoon Tino and Uwan Emergency Response Project.

Under the agreement, the grant’s proceeds will fund the government-led emergency cash transfer (ECT) program for households impacted by the two typhoons late last year. The assistance is intended to help beneficiaries meet critical food, shelter, medical, health, and nutrition needs, subject to eligibility and compliance requirements.

The agreement showed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will oversee the implementation of the ECT program and ensure that grant proceeds are used solely for financing eligible expenditures under the assistance program.

This grant’s closing date will be six months from the agreement’s signing unless mutually extended by the Philippine government and the ADB.

As earlier reported by Manila Bulletin last February, the grant assistance will specifically support typhoon-hit communities in Camarines Norte province.

The ADB had said the grant would help improve access to basic necessities for affected families during the immediate post-disaster period while strengthening recovery and rebuilding efforts.

In November last year, ADB president Masato Kanda wrote to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to express condolences over the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino, which triggered widespread flooding and damage across parts of the country.

During that time, Kanda said the ADB stood ready to deploy additional resources to help support the Philippines’ emergency response and recovery efforts following major disasters.