Russia donates 30 tons of food, other goods for Philippine disaster victims

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine government on Saturday received from the Russian Federation some 30 tons of humanitarian aid for the victims  of Monday’s earthquake in Negros Oriental and other natural calamities.

The relief items, valued at P13 million, arrived early Saturday morning aboard a military aircraft from the Russian Federation for Civil Defense.

The donation  included 16,200 cans of preserved meat, 7,200 cans of preserved fish, 5,000 kilograms of sugar, 80 tents and 1,500 blankets.

The Russian ambassador to the Philippines, Nikolay Kudashev, was at the airport to formally turn over the  goods to Philippine government officials. He was accompanied by his deputy chief of mission, Artem Kudoyarov.

Social Welfare Undersecretary Parisya Taradji and Benjamin Martinez, chief of staff of Vice President Jejomar Binay, received the donation in behalf of the Philippine government.

“This is a great day for us,” said Kudashev. “To deliver the humanitarian aid to heal the wounds of the victims of (Storm) Sendong as well as the earthquake victims in Negros, is a testimony of the friendly feelings of the Russian people with the Filipinos. We expect this to launch a good tradition of interstate cooperation to fight emergencies.”

According to Kudashev, the relief goods were in two batches, the other one arriving on February 15.

In an aide memoire that Kudashev handed Vice President Jejomar Binay during the former’s visit at the Coconut Palace earlier, the Russian government asked Binay to assist in the delivery of the relief goods to affected areas.

“The Philippine government is grateful to the Russian Federation for its generosity. We are glad to receive this donation and I am sure this will be of great help to our kababayans in hard-hit areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Binay called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development  to assist in the distribution of the goods to Negros Oriental and other areas affected by recent disasters.

“The DSWD knows the needs of the hard-hit areas. I leave it to them to decide where to send the relief goods,” Binay said.