HUMANITARIAN AID. Albay Governor Edcel Grex Lagman receives some 50 tons of assorted food items donated by the government of the United Arab Emirates in a turnover ceremony at the Albay Provincial Capitol on Tuesday (June 13, 2023). Lagman assured that the food items would be distributed to the evacuees affected by the ongoing Mayon unrest. (Photo by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY – The provincial government of Albay received on Tuesday some 50 tons of assorted food items donated by the government of the United Arab Emirates for Mayon-affected families.
In a turnover ceremony at the Albay Provincial Capitol, Governor Edcel Grex Lagman thanked the UAE government and the Royal Family for their help in this time of crisis in the province of Albay.
"Thank you to the Royal Family of UAE, President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Interior Minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi and the people of UAE for this donation. This is the 50 tons of assorted food items that will be used by the province of Albay for the Mayon-affected families. Meron po tayong 50,000 kilograms of food items (We have 50,000 kilograms of food items) that came from the government of UAE and the Royal Family," Lagman said.
The governor said the humanitarian aid is a manifestation of a solid and good relationship between the two countries.
"This is done because of the good relationship between Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos of course with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the Royal Family of the UAE," he said.
Lagman assured that the 50 tons of assorted food items would be distributed to the evacuees from areas affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano.
"These goods will be accounted for, with the provincial social welfare and development (PSWDO) as the lead agency. Thank you DSWD for giving us the trust and confidence, that these goods will be given to the right people who need them," he said.
DSWD-Bicol regional director Norman Laurio, in a separate interview, said the five trucks carrying the 50 tons of assorted food items will all arrive late Tuesday.
Based on the manifesto, a box contains cooking oil, basmati rice, elbow pasta, flour, sugar, tuna, salt, tomato paste, milk powder, tea powder, dates and dry foul.
Laurio also said DSWD-Bicol is prepared to distribute additional family food packs and non-food items if needed.
Meanwhile, at least 122 applicants were hired on the spot during the Kalayaan Job Fair that coincided with the celebration of Independence Day on Monday at the SM City Mall of Legazpi.
Diosdado “ Dads” Raneses, Legazpi City Public Employment Services Office (PESO) chief, also said in an interview on Tuesday that 432 were near-hired while 285 job applicants have been referred to other participating agencies.
At least 14,161 job vacancies had been offered by some 80 international and local companies, including government agencies that participated in the job fair. (PNA)
