The Japan International Cooperation (JICA) has dispatched emergency relief supplies to the Philippines following the floods which have ravaged the country in recent days. The aid supplies arrived at Manila International Airport on 21 and 22 December.
Emergency goods to the value of JPY 25 million (about USD 325,000) were dispatched from JICA’s Singapore warehouse, and a handover ceremony was held at 16:00 (local time) on 22 December at the Department of Social Warfare and Development, in Manila.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Toshinao Urabe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of the Philippines and Mr. Takahiro Sasaki, Chief Representative of the JICA Philippines Office.
Ms. Soliman, Secretary of Social Warfare and Development and Mr. H. Taradji. Assistant Secretary were also in attendance.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Urabe expressed his gratitude to the Philippines for its assistance of 1 million USD for reconstruction in Ishinomaki City, in the aftermath of the earthquake on 11th March 2011. Mr. Sasaki presented a condolence letter to President Aquino, sent by Madam Ogata, President of JICA. He also expressed his condolences to the loss caused by the floods as well as sincere sympathy to its victims.
In response, Secretary Soliman expressed her gratitude to Japan, saying that it reaffirmed the strong relationship enjoyed by the two countries.
All goods were then transported by the Philippines’ air force planes, as well as civil aircrafts, and arrived on 24t December in Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, which suffered the greatest damages of the country.
All goods will be distributed through the government of the Philippines to victims of the disasters. JICA will conduct necessary monitoring on the distribution of the emergency goods.
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