MANILA – The Republic of Korea recently donated 750 MT or 18,750 bags of rice intended for victims of natural disasters and calamities in Eastern Visayas and parts of Mindanao.
During the turnover ceremony in Calbayog, Eastern Samar last Wednesday, 28 February 2024, Deputy Chief Minister of the Mission and Consul General of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines Sang Seung Man, said that the rice assistance is expected to be distributed to families affected by the recent flooding and landslides in Region 8 and those affected by a series of earthquakes in Regions 11 and 12.
“The rice to be handed out today will provide essential sustenance to the families unfortunately affected by the recent flooding and landslides in Region 8, as well as a series of earthquakes in Region 11 and 12,” Minister Sang said in a speech during the ceremony.
“I am confident that the distribution will be efficiently and successfully effected through the dedicated and collective efforts of the NFA (National Food Authority), the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the local governments concerned,” he added.
In his speech during the turnover ceremony of the 750MT of rice to the Philippine government, Deputy Chief Minister of the Mission and Consul General of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines Sang Seung Man said that “the rice to be handed out will provide essential sustenance to the families unfortunately affected by the recent flooding and landslides in Region 8, as well as a series of earthquakes in Region 11 and 12.” (Photo courtesy of Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines)
Minister Sang mentioned that this is not the first time that the government of Korea is engaging in this kind of humanitarian activity.
“In 2022 for instance, Korea donated 400 metric tons of rice to support our Filipino friends in times of need,” Sung said.
Looking ahead, Sung confirms that Korea will make “even greater contributions” to the Philippines in the field of agriculture, including continued rice donations.
The embassy official also emphasized that agriculture is one of the five priority areas of Korea’s official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines, which underscores its commitment to ensure and even bolster food security and sustainable agriculture development.
“This exemplifies the enduring friendship and cooperation between Korea and the Philippines, setting the stage for the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations on March 3, 2024,” Sung stated.
Meanwhile, NFA Administrator Roderico R. Bioco represented the Philippine government and accepted the rice donations by expressing the country’s sincere gratitude to the people of the Republic of Korea by “sharing this incredible rice gift to the affected families affected by landslides in Region 8 and other series of earthquakes in Regions 11 and 12.
“This contribution is a testament to the unbreakable bond that binds us together as a global community. In times of hardship and adversity, it is through these acts of kindness and compassion that we find strength and unity,” Administrator Bioco said in his acceptance speech.
The rice donation was made possible through the Tier 3 Program of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), with the aim of further enhancing the solidarity with ASEAN, as a central pillar of Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The embassy also mentioned that the rice donation this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between Korea and ASEAN.
