The Taiwanese government has donated around P11.2 million in cash to the residents affected by the flooding and landslides in three Davao provinces early this month, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said.

MECO chairman Silvestre H. Bello III said the management of the donation from Taiwan will be done by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which was also the agency entrusted to distribute the 40,000 sacks of rice donated via the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).

“The  donation will go a long way to help the families of those who perished in that disaster, and assist those who survived the tragedy to recover their lives. We are deeply touched by your government’s sincere concern and display of compassion for our people at this time of great grief and need,” said Bello when he accepted the donation from Ambassador Wallace Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines. 

“And we are most thankful for your generosity, not only as a neighbor but more so as a long-time friend of the Filipino people,” he added. 

“On behalf of our President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the grateful Filipinos, we thank your government and the people of Taiwan for your very kind assistance,”

For his part, Chow said the donation is part of the humanitarian assistance of Taiwan to the Philippines. 

“By providing this humanitarian funding, Taiwan hopes to extend a helping hand in support of the (government’s) disaster response efforts and aids to the survivors in Davao region,” said Chow.

In late December, Taiwan donated 1,000-metric tons of rice to the country. The donation was received by MECO and turned over to DSWD for distribution to families and communities hit hard by calamities and disasters. 

The donation was already turned over by MECO to the DSWD last month.