The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday (June 15) received the first batch of rice donations from the People’s Republic of China for the Mayon-affected families and individuals.

Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally received the donation from Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and Political Commissar of Dalian Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Su Yinsheng at Pier 15 in South Harbor, Manila.

Shipped through the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Training Vessel Qi Jiguang, the first batch of donations is composed of 502 bags of 25-kilogram rice and 100 bags of 12-kilogram rice.

Other food items such as 20 boxes of fast noodles; 20 boxes of biscuits; 50 boxes of flour were also given by the Chinese government.

Another 3,600 bags of 25-kilogram rice will be donated by the government of China.

This will complete the 4,202 bags or 103,750 kilograms of rice donations and other food items worth Php 4 million.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China also provided an additional Php 1 million cheque intended for families affected by Typhoon Betty.

“On behalf of the Republic and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, we would like to thank you for the generosity,” the DSWD Chief said.

Secretary Gatchalian assured that the donated rice will reach the intended beneficiaries, specifically, the Mayon-affected families in the different evacuation centers in Albay Province. #