PASAY CITY -- On behalf of the Philippine government, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista received 2,000 metric tons or 40,000 bags of rice from the Government of the People’s Republic of China through Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Honorable Huang Xilian during a simple turn over ceremony on October 21.

The rice donation is part of the commitment of the Chinese government to extend 10,000 metric tons of rice to the Philippines in 2018.

The bags of rice recently arrived in the country and are currently at the DSWD National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City.  The rice will be included in the DSWD family food packs which will be distributed to communities and families affected by the lockdowns due to the pandemic, and by other calamities.

To date, the DSWD has received a total of 5,275 metric tons of rice from the Chinese government.

In his acceptance message, Secretary Bautista stated, “On behalf of the people of the Philippines, I accept this donation, fully cognizant of the friendship and thoughtful concern behind it. With this acceptance goes my assurance that every effort shall be exerted that this be given to the most in need.”

The Secretary added, “Allow me to extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to Honorable Ambassador Huang Xilian and the government of the People’s Republic of China for this remarkable donation. This invaluable gift, impressive as it is, pales beside the value and spirit of our brothers and sisters in China for these represent the warm hearts of your people.”

Secretary Bautista also said that the donation is another milestone in the collaboration with the Government of the People’s Republic of China which is vital in providing food assistance to families affected by disasters and to locked down communities in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For his part, Ambassador Huang Xilian said that the People’s Republic of China will do its utmost to accomplish the delivery of the remaining metric tons of rice to complete the 10,000 metric tons within the year.  The Ambassador hoped that the rice donation will  help the needy get through these trying times.                                                                                       

Secretary Bautista shared that as DSWD is persistently striving to explore mechanisms in adopting shock-responsive measures amid the pandemic and other disasters, the help that had been extended will help facilitate the start of the recovery of the people, especially the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.

As he expressed the country’s gratitude, the Secretary also said that the robust partnership and contribution of the Chinese people will definitely make a positive impact on the lives of the Filipinos. (DSWD)