Chinese Embassy in the Philippines first secretary Shang Huaying

(center) is joined by Joje Decal, PB member Miguel Antonio Magpale, Ludovico Jarina and Efren Sabaro of the NFA, Bernadette Puyat of DA, ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve general manager Nongnoch Deetae and DSWD regional director Mercedita Jabagat during yesterday’s turnover of 800 tons of rice as a gift from the Chinese people to victims of typhoon Yolanda

The Philippine government is thankful to the Chinese government for its continued assistance to the victims of twin calamities in Cebu and Bohol, Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 regional director Mercedita Jabagat said yesterday.

In a ceremonial turnover at the National Food Authority warehouse in Pier 6, Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve officials handed over 16,000 bags of rice to the DSWD-7.

Jabagat assured the donors that the donated rice will go to the intended beneficiaries.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said 10,000 bags of the donated rice will be brought to the earthquake victims in Loon, Bohol and the remaining 6,000 will be given to typhoon Yolanda victims in northern Cebu.

“The China government’s donation is very timely. This is heartwarming and spirit lifters. Thank you for your helping hands. The Philippine government is thanking for this food aid, which is rice, the staple food of the Filipino people,” said Puyat.

After the turnover, the officials from DSWD-7, DA and NFA accompanied officials from the Chinese agriculture ministry and APTERR to Daanbantayan to turnover 900 bags of rice to the typhoon victims.

Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon in a statement read by his chief of staff Jojie Decal said the goods will surely provide relief and comfort to the typhoon victims in Daanbantayan.

APTERR general manager Nongnoch Deetae said other ASEAN countries have also pledged more than 6,000 metric tons of rice that will also be distributed to calamity victims.

Jabagat said since last year, the Chinese government has been giving assistance to the typhoon and earthquake victims.

Ye Anping, director of International Cooperation and China’s agriculture ministry, said he hopes that typhoon victims will recover soon and start to have a happy and comfortable life.