Various disaster relief equipment were donated by the government of Japan to the Philippines on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko led the turnover of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief equipment to Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Andres C. Centino.
The donation includes a wide range of top-quality humanitarian assistance and disaster relief equipment such as electric hydraulic rescue tools, which share the same main functions as the standard-issue equipment used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
The assistance package was made possible through the Exchange of Notes between Japan and the Philippines worth JPY 500 million in 2015.
On Oct. 4, Japan government also donated rescue vehicles, water purifiers, and search and rescue equipment to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
On the same day, Japan also vowed to continue supporting the country in its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts as both countries share the same fate as far as vulnerabilities to natural disasters are concerned.
"Japan and the Philippines are both vulnerable to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons, due to their climate, geography, and topography. As the top ODA bilateral donor of the Philippines, Japan will continue to support the Philippines in it’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the evolving threat of natural disasters," the Embassy of Japan in Manila said in a statement.