Gov't lauds UAE for 50 tons of humanitarian aid for Mayon rumblings-affected families
By Chito Chavez
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has turned over around 50 tons of humanitarian aid to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the families affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 13, DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. expressed gratitude to the UAE government, saying it will be of big help to the families affected by the volcano rumblings in Albay, particularly those who were forced to flee their homes.
“The President is very happy and thankful to the royal family of UAE, its President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, its Interior Minister Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi, and all the people of UAE for this donation – the very first international aid that we received for the victims of Mayon volcano unrest,” Abalos said.
For his part, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the donation was made possible by Abalos who coordinated with his counterpart, UAE's Minister of Interior, “a good friend of SILG (secretary of the Interior and Local Government) and who is the brother of the King.”
"We are thankful to Secretary Benhur, through his good working relationship with UAE's Minister of Interior, for facilitating the speedy turnover of the donation," Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian added that the “Philippines will equate the UAE government’s swift humanitarian response with equally fast turnover to displaced families and individuals.’’
The repacking will be done in Albay to expedite the distribution and make sure that the relief goods will be received by the families immediately.
The DILG noted that the donated goods include rice, cooking oil, powdered milk, salt and sugar, among others.
The 50 tons of relief goods were flown via chartered flight care of the UAE government.
Abalos visited the operations center at the Albay Provincial Capitol and met with Gov. Edcel Lagman to discuss concerns on the imminent eruption of Mayon volcano.
After the meeting, the DILG chief also visited the evacuation center in Daraga, Albay which temporarily houses 190 families or 723 individuals displaced by the eruption of Mayon volcano.