FILE PHOTO: Residents of Ubay, Bohol, dig through piles of debris to find anything they can use to rebuild their homes destroyed by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), as it battered the Visayas and Mindanao regions in mid-December 2021. Leo Udtohan
MANILA, Philippines — The Taiwanese government and two Taiwan-based foundations handed over a combined P29.70 million worth of donations for people in areas affected by Typhoon Odette, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines said.
According to a statement from TECO on Thursday, Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu presented the donation worth US$500,000 — or around P25 million as per the latest currency exchange rates — at a handover ceremony last Wednesday.
The funds, which were accepted by Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairperson and representative Wilfredo Fernandez, are intended as disaster relief funds.
“In order to help the people affected by recent Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) return to their normal lives, and to demonstrate the spirit of ‘Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping!’, on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu presented the donation of US$ 500,000 to the Republic of the Philippines as disaster relief funds at a hand-over ceremony in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 December 2021,” TECO said.
“His Excellency Wilfredo B. Fernandez, Chairman and Resident Representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), accepted the donation on behalf of the government of the Republic of Philippines,” it added.
Two other organizations, the Taiwan Association Inc. and the Love From Koten Foundation also did a fund-drive, and donated P2.7 million and P2 million, respectively, also for disaster relief assistance.
TECO Representative Peiyung Hsu meanwhile offered his condolences for families bereaved after Odette’s onslaught over parts of Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan.
“Representative Peiyung Hsu expressed Taiwan’s sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims. Mr. Tamondong extended heartfelt gratitude to the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Taiwan Association Inc. and the Love From Koten Foundation for their kind assistance on behalf of the Philippines,” TECO said.
“Taiwan will continue strengthening cordial bilateral relations with the Philippines based upon existing foundations and further advancing the well-being of the people in both countries,” it added.
From December 16 to 18, Typhoon Odette, which at its peak had maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour, barreled through northern parts of Mindanao, southern portions of Visayas, and Palawan.
Odette left behind a trail of destruction that is being compared to Super Typhoon Yolanda’s effects.
As of Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said that 326 have been reported dead, 58 missing, and 661 injured. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said that 3.599 million individuals are affected by the typhoon, with over 95,000 houses totally destroyed.