IN BRIEF

Japan grants P11-b loan for PH calamity programs

JAPAN has committed to provide an P11-billion loan that the Philippines can use anytime to fund its various calamity response programs.

Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko on Tuesday signed an exchange of notes to formalize the loan facility under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The initiative is the Post Disaster Standby Loan Phase 3 (PDSL 3).

According to the Japanese Embassy in Manila, PDSL 3 “seeks to support swift recovery in the aftermath of natural and health-related disasters, providing a quickdisbursing budgetary support for the Philippines’ calamity response programs.”

Kazuhiko said the move was the third PDSL to be provided for the Philippines.

“First in 2013 to support the recovery from Typhoon Yolanda, and then in 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic response,” he said.

“With Typhoon Egay having attacked the Philippines just last month, it is evident that our countries are frequently exposed to natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions,” he added. Rey E. Requejo

Speaker cited for securing supply of Vietnam rice

QUEZON Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga on Tuesday hailed Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for gaining a commitment from Vietnam to continue supplying the Philippines with affordable rice.

Romualdez was able to do this last Sunday in Jakarta, Indonesia, during a side meeting with Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the National Assembly of Vietnam on the eve of the formal opening of the 44th AIPA (ASEAN Parliamentary Assembly) General Assembly.

“Speaker Romualdez displayed once again why he is the alter ego of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with the move to secure rice imports at a crucial time for the Philippines. In terms of team sports, this was a clutch move,” said Enverga, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.

“The threat of El Niño is still present despite the recent rains, and we are still trying to boost our crop production. Other countries are restricting their rice importation policies. Speaker Romualdez knows that we need all the help we can get to ensure a stable supply of rice,” he said. Maricel V. Cruz

Group urges Congress to pass MC taxis bill

A THINK tank group on Tuesday appealed to Congress to support the bill regulating the use of motorcycles-for-hire or “MC taxis” as a public utility.

“Much like the endless reruns of our favorite TV shows, the pilot study on motorcycle taxis seems to be on a loop. It’s high time we change the channel and give the people what they want: a clear, fair, and safe regulatory framework,” said Terry Ridon, Infrawatch PH convenor and former House transportation committee member. Following instructions from the concerned government agencies, the group formed the MC Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) to conduct the pilot study.

Reconstituted this November, the MC Taxi TWG remains active, supervising the trial phase of motorcycle taxi services offered by firms such as Angkas, Joyride, and Move It. Ridon in a statement noted that the pilot study that the MC Taxi TWG should have accomplished has now been delayed by four years, with no clear recommendations being released yet, stalling legislative efforts in the aftermath. “This delay has led to a surge in ‘habal-habal’ rides, or motorcycles-for-hire operating outside the pilot study’s scope. It’s like watching a cliffhanger episode over and over. The people are waiting for a resolution. We must move the