Vietnam assures PH of rice supply amid COVID-19 pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — Vietnam has guaranteed the Philippines of continuous supply of rice even with the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) health crisis.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc/ AFP PHOTO, HOANG DINH NAM

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the assurance to President Rodrigo Duterte in a telephone conversation requested by the former Tuesday, a Palace release said.

“We assure you that Vietnam will continue to supply rice to the Philippines on a long-term basis at competitive prices,” Phuc told Duterte, as quoted in the release.

The two leaders also committed to stronger bilateral and regional cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte thanked Phuc for guaranteeing the long-term supply of rice to the Philippines and added that Vietnam, “as the country’s top source of rice imports, is a vital partner in food security.”

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Further, Duterte said that ensuring strategic rice supply stability is among the key aspects of the Philippines and Vietnam’s cooperation.

During the phone call, Duterte also praised Vietnam “for its effective response to COVID-19” noting that the two nations can share “best practices.”

Vietnam is among the nations that have contained COVID-19 infections, only recording at least 327 cases and zero deaths.

Phuc, in return, praised the Phillippine government’s “comprehensive approach” to the COVID-19 health crisis.

“We appreciate the strong measures of the Philippines in fighting COVID-19, including preventing community transmission, implementing community quarantine measures and providing social protection to the Filipino people,” Phuc said.