As the Philippine’s nearest neighbor and true friend, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) through Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines extended help to the victims of fire in Boracay occurred on June 17, 2015. Spearheaded by Taiwanese tourists and businessmen sojourn in Boracay, the group was able to collect 500 kilos of various relief goods from Taiwan. The collected relief supplies are combination of food, clothes, powdered milk and other basic living necessities.
The donation was distributed to the affected families through the Municipality of Malay on June 25, 2015. According to Mr. Ru Lin, the Taiwanese who initiated the relief collection, the donation was made through the internet and Taiwanese people enthusiastically responded. In only four days, the relief supplies reached the target of 500 kilos and were immediately delivered to Boracay through the assistance of major air transportation carriers.
Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines, in his letters to Provincial Governor of Aklan, Mr. Florencio T. Miraflores, and Municipal Mayor of Malay, Mr. John P. Yap, mentioned that the relief supplies collected by the Taiwanese community reflect the genuine friendship between the two countries. Moreover, Representative Lin believes that as Filipinos are resilient, optimistic, sturdy and hardworking, the affected families can soon return to their normal lives.
Taiwan and the Philippines share many commonalities which makes the two countries very close to each other. In recent years, Taiwan has already proven that its people are willing to help and work side by side in partnership with the Philippines especially during the difficult time. In 2013, when the Philippines was affected by the Typhoon Yolanda, Taiwan collectively donated US$12.22 million in cash and Taiwan’s military transport airplanes flew more than 18 flights to the disaster areas to bring in more than thousands of tons of relief supplies to help the affected families.
Moreover, Taiwan’s NGOs including Tzu Chi Foundation have made tremendous efforts to build houses, accommodations, and shelters for the needy. Work-for-cash projects and donations of rice, food and clothing have also been frequently made by the Taiwanese NGOs and the Taiwanese community in the Philippines.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines
1st July, 2015, Manila
