China, Japan give to 'Pablo' victims

December 22, 2012 6:33pm



China and Japan gave further assistance to victims of Tropical Cyclone Pablo (Bopha), the Department of Foreign Affairs said over the weekend.

The DFA on Saturday said China donated $200,000 (P8.228 million), with Ambassador Ma Keqing turning over the amount to DFA Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

It said the amount is to be remitted to the account of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), to be used to help the victims of Pablo.

Pablo barreled through Mindanao and Visayas earlier this month, leaving more than 1,000 dead and P24 billion in damage.

Meanwhile, the Fukuoka prefectural government in Japan donateD Y1 million (P500,000) for Pablo victims.

The DFA said Fukuoka Prefecture Governor Hiroshi Ogawa also wrote President Benigno Aquino III, conveying sympathies for the devastation by Pablo.

"Governor Ogawa also sent his representative, Fumio Murakami, to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on December 20 to present the prefecture’s donation of Y1 million (approximately P500,000) for the typhoon victims," it said.



Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez expressed his appreciation for the Fukuoka prefecture’s donation.

He said many Filipino nationals reside in Fukuoka.

Japanese immigration figures show around 3,700 Filipinos are registered in the prefecture.

Lopez said the Filipinos in Fukuoka would be very pleased to learn of the prefecture’s donation to their countrymen.

Fukuoka is located in Japan’s Kyushu island and is the most dynamic region in Kyushu.

"Fukuoka serves not only as the center of Kyushu but also as a focal point for the Asian market due to its proximity to China and Korea. The prefecture is also keen to strengthen its economic and cultural ties with Asian countries," the DFA said. — LBG, GMA News