Pasay city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian expressed gratitude towards South Korea for its generous donation of 1,632 metric tons of rice, aimed at supporting Filipinos affected by recent calamities. This donation is part of the ongoing humanitarian efforts by the South Korean government to assist disaster-stricken areas in the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, the United Nations-World Food Programme (UN-WFP) played a crucial role in facilitating this donation. Secretary Gatchalian extended his heartfelt thanks to both the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the UN-WFP for their timely and generous support. "We extend our sincerest appreciation to the ROK and the UN-WFP for your support and generous donation of 1,632 metric tons of rice to help those affected by the recent combined effects of the southwest monsoon, and typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong," Gatchalian stated. He emphasized the importance of such contributions in aiding families to recover and resume normalcy in their lives.

Gatchalian assured that the DSWD is committed to the immediate and efficient distribution of the donated rice to those most in need. He underscored the department's dedication to providing continuous humanitarian assistance to affected families. The donation was formalized with the signing of the deed of donation by Gatchalian, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa, and WFP representative and country director Regis Chapman at the DSWD National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City.

The rice donation will be repacked into family food packs (FFPs), with an estimated 280,000 FFPs to be distributed, each containing six kilos of rice. This effort follows a prior donation from South Korea of 4,000 metric tons of rice in response to a severe tropical storm in October 2024.

Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa expressed his country's solidarity with the Filipino people, commending the leadership of Secretary Gatchalian in providing aid during challenging times. "I commend the DSWD on the able leadership of Secretary Gatchalian for his dedication to the Filipino families during times of adversity. In this context, the Korean government is honored to support the Philippines' disaster response and peace-building efforts through this contribution," Lee remarked.