BALI, Indonesia – The Philippine government is providing USD400,000 worth of assistance to earthquake and tsunami victims in Indonesia, an envoy announced Wednesday.
Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong Tan Wee said of the amount, USD300,000 will come from the Philippine government while USD100,000 will be given by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) - Philippines.
“The USD300,000 is in cash and in kind while the ASEAN BAC is also raising financial assistance which, I was informed, has now reached USD100,000,” Wee said an interview.
A 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Central Sulawesi Island on Sept. 29, triggering a tsunami as high as 6 meters that left more than 800 people dead, particularly in the city of Palu.
Wee said the Philippines and Indonesia have been very helpful in terms of disasters.
“We have helped Indonesia during the Aceh disaster and also the Yogyakarta. The recent earthquake and the tsunami in Palu is a very big disaster for Indonesia,” Wee said.
“Likewise, Indonesia was also very helpful in times of need from the Philippines, specifically the Yolanda, the typhoon, several years ago. So this is a good way of a brotherly relationship between Philippines and Indonesia,” he added.
The ambassador said the first C-130 cargo plane of the Philippine Air Force is set to arrive in Palu on Wednesday.
The cargo aircraft is full of relief goods and other materials in response to the request for aid by the Indonesian government.
“We have humanitarian assistance and part of what we are donating are generators, water and medical kits as the need arises,” he said.
Wee said President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to personally inform Indonesian President Joko Widodo about the Philippines’ assistance when the two leaders meet during the ASEAN Leaders’ Gathering here Thursday.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Sinyo Harry Sarundajang expressed gratitude to the Philippines for its cash and humanitarian assistance.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Indonesia, we would like to thank the government and the people of the Philippines for the support about disaster in Palu and Donggala. It is a brotherhood relationship,” said Sarundajang, who joined Wee in the media interview.
Sarundajang will join Wee in welcoming Duterte, who is set to arrive Wednesday afternoon for the ASEAN Leaders’ Gathering upon the invitation of Widodo. (PNA)
