Taiwanese ship arrives with aid

CEBU, Philippines - The Embassy of Taiwan turned over 530 tons of goods to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 yesterday morning for the typhoon-stricken areas in Eastern Visayas.

The goods were carried by the Republic of China Ship Chong-Ho LST 232 that arrived at the Cebu International Port yesterday.

The shipload of goods turned over to the DSWD-7 comprised of food items like crackers, sacks of rice, boxes of canned goods, mineral water and non-food items including hundreds of sleeping bags, mats, blankets, tableware, toiletries, solar generator sets, diapers and medicines.

The distribution of the goods was sponsored by the Minister Better Taipei Economic Cultural Office of  the Philippines.

"A friend in need is a friend in deed, Taiwan is always here to help as a way to show our brotherhood," said deputy representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of the Philippines-Republic of China (Taiwan), Samson T. L. Chang.

This was the second time that Taiwan sent relief goods to the Philippines following the 150 tons of goods they sent three weeks ago carried by the Taiwan Air Force.

"We sincerely hope that what we have given would be of big help so they (typhoon victims) can soon move forward," Chang said.

Also present during the turnover was DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat, Rear Admiral Lee Chung-Hsiao of  the Taiwanese Navy, Central Command commander, Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, and Antonio Basilio from MECO (Philippine Embassy in Taiwan).

Three days ago, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell handed over 1,000 family tents to the DSWD-7 and to inspect the progress of the Australian response to typhoon Yolanda.

Tents serve as temporary solution and just part of the overall assistance to ensure typhoon victims to have adequate shelter so they can start rebuilding their lives and homes in more permanent ways.

"Our close cooperation with the Philippine Government throughout this response speaks to the strength of the relationship between our two countries and I am confident that this assistance will find its way to those most in need of shelter," Tweddell said. –(FREEMAN)