LAOAG CITY – The Chinese Consulate based in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte donated face masks, and provided meals to the frontliners manning the northern provincial border of the province in Pagudpud town.
Ilocos Norte’s Communication and Media Officer Rhona Ysabel Dawang said on Saturday that Chinese Consul Zhou Youbin led his team in distributing the assistance to the frontliners at the northern border of Ilocos Norte on Thursday.
The activity was part of the programs of the Chinese consulate as part of its celebration of the Chinese’ Mooncake Festival, the time of the year when the moon is at its fullest that symbolizes reunions. It was also part of the observance to the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
"We are proud to support brave Ilokano frontline workers. I would like to extend our deepest respect to all police, soldiers, medical workers, firemen, and local officials. Thank you for your selfless service to protect the whole community,” Zhou said.
"We value the longstanding friendship between Filipinos and Chinese. Together, we will finally win the battle against the virus. Wish everyone a Happy Mooncake Festival," he added.
Since the onset of the pandemic, Ilocos Norte's Chinese Consulate, in association with Shandong Province, Sichuan Province, Hubei Enterprise, has been donating various medical aid to the province which were distributed to hospitals, testing centers, as well as the airport, schools, and border checkpoints.
Ilocos Norte’s Provincial Government External Consultant Ryan Remigio thanked the consulate for its continued support to the province.
"Since we started to require (coronavirus disease) COVID-19 test at our borders, unnecessary travels have decreased by almost 50 percent. We appreciate the Chinese Consulate in Ilocos Norte for donating PPEs to our border frontliners," said Remegio
Earlier, the consulate also distributed "Friendship Rice" to Northern Luzon provinces.