CEBU CITY – Foreign donations are pouring in for typhoon-stricken areas in Metro Cebu.
Among those which extended a helping hand were the Israeli and Chinese government.
Solar-powered generators worth P222,400 were donated by the Embassy of Israel in Manila to the provincial government of Cebu.
Aside from power generators, Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President Yoray Ofex, and Honorary Consul of Israel in Cebu Emily Chioson also turned over to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia assorted goods such as canned goods, biscuits, powdered milk, toiletries and laundry soap worth P480,000.
The Israeli government also donated 378 sacks of rice to the Talisay City Government.
On the other hand, the Chinese government, through the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, has shipped some five million kilos of donated rice for Odette-stricken areas in the country.
At least 1.5 million kilos of the rice shipment are intended for Cebu and set for release at the Cebu International Port (CIP).
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, said China has pledged to donate US$ 1 million (roughly P50 million) as cash assistance.
“The cash donation is the newest support rendered by the Chinese side after the 20,000 food packages worth around P8 million and the rice donation. The rice donation consists of the newest 4.725 million kg and remaining 400 thousand kg of previous donation that is currently being distributed in Cebu,” Xilian said in a statement.
“President Xi (Jinping) extended to President (Rodrigo) Duterte his deep mourning for the victims and his sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and injured. He expressed that China stood ready to render assistance to the Philippine side to the best of its ability,” he added.
The island of Cebu was badly hit by typhoon with 28 localities in Cebu province suffering immense infrastructure and agricultural damages.
Damage for residential properties alone in Cebu City was pegged at P1.7 billion.