TO SUPPORT calamity-stricken areas in the Davao Region, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) received a donation of 500 metric tons of rice from Taiwan on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
The rice, donated through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Teco) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Davao Region, is aimed at aiding residents affected by severe flooding earlier this year.
The shipment is part of a total of 2,000 metric tons donated by Taiwan, which arrived in Davao last week. During a press conference on Thursday at a hotel on Magallanes Street, Davao City, MECO Chair Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil expressed gratitude to Taiwan and Teco for their continued support of the Davao community.
“We wish to reiterate our profound gratitude to Teco and the people of Taiwan for this generous assistance to the people of Davao who were victims of previous calamities and unfortunate economic circumstances,” Garafil said.
Garafil also noted that this isn’t the first time Taiwan has assisted Davao; last year, Taiwan donated 2,000 metric tons of rice, and just last month, it provided non-food items to those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
Rep. Wallace Minn-Gan Chow of Teco expressed his solidarity with the Philippines, emphasizing Taiwan’s commitment to providing ongoing support.
The donation, according to Grafaril, reflects the strength of the friendship between the two nations, especially in times of crisis. JPC
