Malaysian government brings in donations to St. Bernard victims

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA-8)
May 11, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –   Malaysian Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Wan Jaafar Wan Muhamud led the twenty-five members of the Malaysian delegation who arrived in Tacloban on Monday (May 8) to bring in the humanitarian donations of the Malaysian government to the victims of the Guinsaugon tragedy at St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

The delegation came in aboard the Malaysian Royal Air Force C-130 plane carrying about 8-tons of food donations like Milo, milk, biscuits, noodles and other items like bath soaps, cooking pots and pans and sanitary napkins among others. These will be distributed to the identified victims through the local social welfare and development office.

In his message, Charge d’ Affaires Wan Muhamud said that the donations are expressions of strong brotherhood and ASEAN spirit through good and difficult times. The Malaysian government, he stressed, is more than happy to shoulder any assistance needed and to help out in any way it can as what the Malaysian Prime Minister always emphasizes his “Prosper thy neighbor” policy.

He noted how warm and cordial the relations between Malaysia and the Philippines are, and so the people of Malaysia share the sorrow that the tragedy caused the people of St. Bernard.

In her response, Governor Lerias thanked the Malaysian government and the other donors and people who helped the tragedy stricken people of Southern Leyte. She said that the mode of distribution has been laid out by the DSWD and the donor will be updated on the donations. As always, he said that the government of Southern Leyte will keep its policy of transparency.

The delegation was welcomed at the VIP lounge by Southern Leyte Governor Rosette Lerias, Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Victor Domingo, Mayor Maria Lim of St. Bernard, Mayor Boy Mortera of San Juan, Undersecretary Zenia Yangco of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Director Eliseo dela Paz of PNP 8, BGen Randy Dauz of the AFP, DSWD 8 Director Letecia Corillo, DOLE 8 Director Forter Pugoon, OCD 8 Director Adriano Fuego, DFA 8 Director Ed Venturanza, the representatives of DepEd and  PIA’s  Olive Tiu who moderated the Press Conference after the official turnover.

The delegation left for Malaysia at 8:00 o’clock in the evening after a dinner at Hotel Alejandro hosted by Southern Leyte Governor Rosette Lerias.