21 hours ago
1
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez has expressed his appreciation to South Korea for its donation of over 2,000 metric tons (MTs) of rice to the Philippines.
“South Korea’s heartwarming donation is proof of its strong ties with the Philippines and its selflessness to look out for its neighbors in Asia - a reflection of Asian values of unity and community,” Romualdez said in a statement Friday, July 25.
“The Philippines and its people are truly grateful for the helping hand that Seoul extended to us in our time of need. It would boost our government’s efforts to extend assistance to many of our kababayans affected by the floods,” added Romualdez, who served as House Speaker during the 19th Congress.
In an announcement on Tuesday, the Korean Embassy said it will donate 2,016 MTs of rice "to support swift responses to humanitarian crises and persistent rice shortages in vulnerable communities” in the Philippines.
Romualdez expressed his deep appreciation for Seoul’s timely support, especially as many parts of the country reel from recent typhoons and flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains. Rice is the Filipino staple food.
He assured the Korean government that the Philippine government under the leadership of President Marcos would utilize the donated rice judiciously and in line with its intended purpose.
“This donated rice will be used as intended: in delivering aid to disaster victims and providing access to affordable food in our most vulnerable communities. This is how the Philippines repays the kindness of its allies and neighbors: by bringing the aid it receives to people and places that need it the most,” he said.
The turnover ceremony for the donated rice is scheduled for August in Manila. Of the 2,016 MTs of rice, 1,616 MTs will go to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), while 400 MTs will go to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Leyte congressman noted that aside from being tapped as assistance to disaster victims, the rice donation may also be utilized in the Marcos administration's program that provides marginalized sectors access to P20 per kilo rice.
