Taiwanese naval vessel in Phl for relief mission

CEBU, Philippines - The Republic of China (Taiwan)Navy vessel “Chung He” arrived in Cebu Harbor last November 29,  carrying 530 tons of relief items including solar panel generators, tents, rice, clothing, crackers and cookies, ready-to-eat food, and drinking water, to help the victims of super typhoon Yolanda. 

The vessel was guided into the port by two Philippine naval ships. After the relief items were unloaded, aturn over ceremony was held spearheaded by Minister Samson T.L. Chang, the Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office(TECO)in the Philippines.

In his remarks during the ceremony, Minister Chang, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, reiterated his sincerest condolences and sympathies to the victims of the tragedy. He pointed out that the aforesaid donation exemplified the saying “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” He also reaffirmed that Taiwan is always willing to extend a helping hand to the Philippines whenever needed.

Minister Chang also mentioned that by collecting hundreds of tons of relief supplies within a week, Taiwan has once again fulfilled its role as a humanitarian aid provider in the international community. He sincerely hopes that the rescue and rehabilitation operations in the devastated areas would go smoothly, and that the survivors could overcome this tragedy with fortitude and rebuild their lives.

Chairman Amadeo Perez of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) expressed his sincere gratitude to the ROC for its generous donations, emphasizing that the Filipino people would not forget the humanitarian assistances the ROC government provided during this time of adversity.

Following the disaster, the ROC government donated US$200,000. The first round of relief supplies, 150 tons in total, were delivered through 18 flights of the air force C-130 cargo planes over the past weeks. This donation is the second round of shipment of relief supplies to the Philippines. Monetary and material donations from the ROC have now reached US$9.81million and almost 700 tons respectively. (FREEMAN)