1 month ago
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LAUREL, Batangas — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the distribution of 100,000 bags of rice donated by the South Korean government for victims of Tropical Storm Kristine across Luzon.
The donation totals to 4,000 metric tons (MT) of rice and was part of the Tier 3 program of the Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (Apterr), where it releases its stockpiled emergency rice reserves in response to severe emergencies and/or humanitarian responses.
The National Food Authority (NFA) is the Philippines' representative in the Apterr regional cooperation aiming to achieve "food security, poverty alleviation, and malnourishment eradication" among its members.
"I am privileged to witness the critical roles played by various government agencies and international organizations to ensure the smooth arrival of the 4,000 metric tons, equivalent to 100,000 bags of rice, donated by the government of Korea," said Laurel.
He said South Korea's food donation will be of great help in the country's recovery and rehabilitation after Tropical Storm Kristine.
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Laurel said the donation came at a crucial time, given the rising prices of food in the country.
"Given the high food prices, this gift of rice from the government of Korea is most certainly welcome and provides timely assistance to the Philippine government in its efforts to aid calamity-affected provinces," he said.
The town of Laurel in Batangas was one of the areas most affected by Tropical Storm Kristine, with some families still displaced, needing relocation and permanent shelter until now.
