Taiwan Donates P13 Million To Philippines For Typhoon Relief, Reconstruction In Cagayan
The Taiwanese government has donated P13.03 million to the
province of Cagayan after Super Typhoon “Lawin” (international name “Haima”)
destroyed livelihoods and infrastructure there.
In a turnover ceremony on Tuesday, December 13, Taiwan
Representative Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin handed over P5 million and 2,300 bags of
rice to the Cagayan provincial government, P500,000 and 700 bags of rice to
typhoon victims in the town of Aparri, and an additional 300 bags of rice to
the town of Buguey.
Typhoon “Lawin”, which hit Cagayan in October, left four
dead, displaced 36,000 people in 25 towns and 148 villages, and destroying
billions of pesos of agricultural crops.
“Taiwan is a close neighbor and a genuine friend of the
Philippines. When I made the donation of P1 million to Batanes on November 23,
I was gratified to see that the relief fund from Taiwan could help the
typhoon-affected families through the hardship, especially before the end of
this year,” Lin said in a statement.
The assistance came from Taiwan’s Tzu Chi Foundation, as
part of the country’s disaster relief efforts to the Philippines, Lin said.
“I feel sorry and heavy when learning that Typhoon “Haima”
struck Cagayan, causing severe damages and losses. My heart goes out to you,
and I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the affected families,” the
representative said.
He also assured Filipinos that Taiwan will always extend
help to the Philippines in times of calamity.
“Taiwan will always extend a helping hand by making
humanitarian donations as part of disaster relief efforts, without blinking an
eye,” Lin said, adding that the gesture demonstrates the genuine friendship and
solidarity of Taiwan and the Philippines.
The donation turned over to Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba
will be distributed to 1,000 victims, including fishery representatives, and
tribe chiefs, he said.
Lin expressed hope that the affected families can get back
on their feet and regain their strength, and that the damaged infrastructure
and houses will be rebuilt quickly.
“Through Taiwan’s recent timely donations, the people of
Cagayan will realize that they are not alone, as they will receive the loving
care and good-will from Taiwanese. This has been the exemplification of the
sharing of longstanding friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines,” Lin
said.
Lin also requested the Cagayan government to look after the
welfare of its Taiwanese fishing vessels, which sometimes arrive in Cagayan for
supplies from March to June yearly during the fishing season.
The Taiwanese envoy said the active efforts of Taiwan are due to its pursuit of the country’s “New Southbound Policy,” which attaches “great importance” to the Philippines.
The core value of this policy, Lin said, is underlined “by
the building of connection based on the human touch and caring, aiming to
enhance people to people interaction and mutual understanding.”
Source: Manila Standard
Taiwan Donates P13 Million To Philippines For Typhoon Relief, Reconstruction In Cagayan
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December 15, 2016
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