The Taiwanese government has donated P13.03 million to the province of Cagayan after Super Typhoon “Lawin” (international name “Haima”) destroyed livelihoods and infrastructure there.
In a turnover ceremony on Tuesday, Taiwan Representative Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin handed over P5 million and 2,300 bags of rice to the Cagayan provincial government, P500,000 and 700 bags of rice to typhoon victims in the town of Aparri, and an additional 300 bags of rice to the town of Buguey.
Typhoon “Lawin”, which hit Cagayan in October, left four dead, displaced 36,000 people in 25 towns and 148 villages, and destroying billions of pesos of agricultural crops.
“Taiwan is a close neighbor and a genuine friend of the Philippines. When I made the donation of P1 million to Batanes on November 23, I was gratified to see that the relief fund from Taiwan could help the typhoon-affected families through the hardship, especially before the end of this year,” Lin said in a statement.
The assistance came from Taiwan’s Tzu Chi Foundation, as part of the country’s disaster relief efforts to the Philippines, Lin said.
“I feel sorry and heavy when learning that Typhoon “Haima” struck Cagayan, causing severe damages and losses. My heart goes out to you, and I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the affected families,” the representative said.
He also assured Filipinos that Taiwan will always extend help to the Philippines in times of calamity.
“Taiwan will always extend a helping hand by making humanitarian donations as part of disaster relief efforts, without blinking an eye,” Lin said, adding that the gesture demonstrates the genuine friendship and solidarity of Taiwan and the Philippines.
The donation turned over to Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba will be distributed to 1,000 victims, including fishery representatives, and tribe chiefs, he said.
Lin expressed hope that the affected families can get back on their feet and regain their strength, and that the damaged infrastructure and houses will be rebuilt quickly.
“Through Taiwan’s recent timely donations, the people of Cagayan will realize that they are not alone, as they will receive the loving care and good-will from Taiwanese. This has been the exemplification of the sharing of longstanding friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines,” Lin said.
Lin also requested the Cagayan government to look after the welfare of its Taiwanese fishing vessels, which sometimes arrive in Cagayan for supplies from March to June yearly during the fishing season.
The Taiwanese envoy said the active efforts of Taiwan is due to its pursuit of the country’s “New Southbound Policy,” which attaches “great importance” to the Philippines.
The core value of this policy, Lin said, is underlined “by the building of connection based on the human touch and caring, aiming to enhance people to people interaction and mutual understanding.”
