CHINA AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS. Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez (3rd from left) receives China's rice donation to the earthquake victims at the National Resources Operation Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (Aug. 2, 2022). China formally turned over PHP10 million worth of rice to the Philippine government as aid to the victims of the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit northern Luzon last week. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)
MANILA – China on Tuesday formally turned over PHP10 million worth of rice to the Philippine government as aid for the victims of the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit northern Luzon last week.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila, in partnership with the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (PCCI), delivered the relief goods to the Department of Social Welfare and Development's National Resources Operation Center in Pasay City.
In an interview, Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong said the aid will be shipped immediately to the most affected area, particularly Abra province.
"We are the first to express sympathy and offer help. President Xi Jinping expressed his sympathies and condolences to President (Ferdinand) Marcos Jr.," he said.
"My Ambassador, two hours after the earthquake already offered that China is ready to help so two days later we collected some relief goods worth PHP10 million," he added.
Citing the victims' "dire need for food, water, tents," Zhou said more Chinese companies are expected to give donations.
Zhou said the PHP3.6 million relief goods earlier announced by the Chinese Enterprises Philippines Association had been distributed.
"Chinese companies here in the Philippines are also taking action so the first batch of PHP3.6 million relief bags has already been distributed," he said. (PNA)
