Palace justifies $1-M donation to Japan

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Wednesday justified the Philippine government’s donation of $1 million to Japan at a time when the country itself has to deal with the destruction caused by Typhoon “Pedring.”

Undersecretary Abigail Valte, the deputy presidential spokesperson, said the government has enough funds for the relief and rehabilitation efforts in affected towns and cities.

“We have enough funds to help … the local governments that have been affected,” Valte said in a news briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Valte said the donation is the Philippines’ expression of solidarity with Japan as it continues to rebuild in the aftermath of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that triggered a powerful tsunami and a nuclear crisis last March.

“The grant of that assistance from us Filipinos is our way of showing our solidarity with them in light of the two tragedies that they suffered,” Valte said.

“From what we have seen, the Japanese have been very appreciative of the assistance that was extended. And perhaps we should not begrudge the help that we give to other countries,” she added.