DSWD: Taiwan's rice donation may be used for food packs during disasters

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 18) — Rice donated by Taiwan worth around ₱125 million may be used in family food packs during natural disasters, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), otherwise known as the Philippine representative Office in Taiwan, turned over half of the 2,000 metric tons (MT) of rice pledged by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) on Wednesday at the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Valenzuela City.

READ: Taiwan donates 2,000 MT of rice for PH relief efforts

«Puwede natin 'tong gamitin sa mga family food packs that we give particularly for the disaster,» DSWD Disaster Response Management Group Undersecretary Diane Cajipe said.

[Translation: We can use these in the family food packs that we distribute particularly for the disaster.]

«Ang trigger naman ng distribution ng ating mga family food packs is augmentation ito sa mga local government units in times of disasters,» Cajipe added.

[Translation: The trigger for the distribution of our family food packs is augmentation to local government units in times of disasters.]

MECO Chairman Silvestre Bello III said he is confident that the donated rice will remain good for consumption for a long time.

«Hopefully, as soon as we get feedback on the manner of distribution, ay darating naman 'yung balance of 1,000 MT pa [the remaining 1,000 MT will arrive],» Bello said.

TECO Representative Wallace Chow earlier said the remaining 1,000 MT of rice will arrive when the need arises or upon the request of the Philippine government.