MANILA, Philippines – Pinasalamatan ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian ang Republic of Korea para sa donasyon nitong 4,000 metric tons (MT) ng bigas na ipapamahagi sa mga lugar na nasalanta ng nagdaang bagyong Kristine.
Ang mensahe ng pasasalamat ay ipinahayag ni Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) sa ginanap na turnover ceremony sa Poblacion Municipal Hall sa Laurel, Batangas nitong Lunes, Pebrero 3.
“I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Republic of Korea. This assistance will definitely go a long way in providing support to families affected by Tropical Cyclone Trami or better known with its local name ‘Kristine’ in the Philippines,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian.
Ayon sa DSWD ang 100,000 sako ng bigas na naglalaman ng 40 kilograms bawat isa ay donasyon ng South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (MAFRA).
Ang donasyon ay ibibigay sa mga pamilya at indibidwal na naapektuhan ng bagyong Kristine sa mga lugar sa Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (CALABARZON), at 5 (Bicol Region).
“Kristine brought devastating impacts, but the DSWD was never alone in providing prompt and comprehensive assistance to Filipinos hit by the tropical cyclone. We had the support of local government units, national government agencies, private organizations, and international development partners,” sabi pa ni Secretary Gatchalian.
Kaugnay nito sa pahayag naman ni Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, binigyang diin nito ang malakas na pagsasamahan ng South Korean government at Pilipinas.
“This donation is more than just a gift of rice, it is a symbolic example of the readiness of both nations to cooperate on food security and disaster resilience,” sabi ni Ambassador Lee.
Samantala, dagdag ni Secretary Gatchalian, “We assure you that we will make every effort to ensure these contributions will reach those who need them most. The DSWD, along with its partners, commits to continuously providing unconditional support and assistance toward a brighter, more resilient future for all Filipinos.” Santi Celario