Japan on Wednesday handed over 300 metric tons of rice to the Philippines to support families affected by recent calamities, including the El Niño phenomenon and severe tropical storms such as Typhoon Kristine, which significantly impacted the Eastern Visayas region.
The donation was made under the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) framework, a regional cooperation aimed at strengthening food security, poverty alleviation, and eradicating malnourishment among member countries. The turnover ceremony took place in Palo City, Leyte province.
Embassy of Japan First Secretary Akasaka Hidenori attended the event and expressed hopes that the rice would soon reach affected families, serving as a source of nourishment and revitalization. “We hope this donation will provide much-needed relief to those who have suffered from these devastating events,” Akasaka said in his speech.
Also present were National Food Authority (NFA) Deputy Administrator Mario Andrada, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary for Disaster Management Diana Rose Cajipe, and APTERR General Manager Choomjet Karnjanakesorn. The rice will be distributed to disaster-affected areas in Leyte province.
As of October 2024, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that Typhoon Kristine had affected around 178,685 families, or 685,049 people, in the region, including Leyte. The Office of Civil Defense noted that 4,299 families, consisting of 14,528 individuals, stayed in evacuation centers.
Japan has consistently shown solidarity with the Filipino people during challenging times. Over the years, hundreds of tons of rice from Japan have been distributed through APTERR to thousands of families affected by natural disasters, including Typhoon Odette in 2022 and the Mayon volcano eruption in 2023.
In 2023, Japan also donated 20 metric tons of rice to an elementary school in Pateros City to support the nutritional well-being of students.
APTERR member countries distribute stockpiled rice to nations affected by severe calamities. The initiative underscores the importance of regional cooperation in disaster response and highlights Japan’s role as a key contributor to food security efforts in the Philippines.
The Philippines, frequently hit by natural disasters, relies on international assistance to support affected communities. The latest donation reinforces the strong ties between Japan and the Philippines and their shared commitment to humanitarian aid.
Business News Asia
