EL SALVADOR CITY, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--The Government of the Republic of Korea turned over 400 metric tons (10,000 bags) of milled rice for individuals and families affected by flooding and landslides in regions 9, 10, and 11 to the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10, the National Food Authority (NFA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10, as part of its implementation of the tier 3 program under the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), March 21.

"I am very much pleased to turn over the 400 metric tons of rice to the Philippines through the APTERR program and hope that these sacks of rice will give the affected people renewed hope and strength," the Republic of Korea Ambassador to the Philippines, Kim Inchul, said.

APTERR is a regional cooperation between ASEAN countries, China, Japan, and South Korea. Its goal is to improve food security, reduce poverty, and get rid of malnutrition in the area by working together.

One sack of rice per household will be given to the 68 identified totally damaged households in El Salvador City. The 10,000 sacks of rice shall be divided and distributed to the three regions, where 3,333 will be allocated for Region 9, 3,333 for Region 10, and 3,334 for Region 11.

El Salvador City Mayor Edgar Lignes welcomed the assistance and expressed his gratitude to the Republic of Korea.

"Pasalamat ta sa Korean Ambassador sa ilahang paghatag sa hinabang sa mga luoy pud na naapektahan sa disaster. Dako pud nga tabang not only for El Salvador but for the whole region," Lignes said.

(We are thankful to the Korean Ambassador for their assistance to those affected by the disaster. It is also a big help, not only for El Salvador but for the whole region). (DA-10/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)