Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday lauded the South Korean government for its support in the country’s recovery from the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine last year with rice donations to Filipinos.
In a statement, the DA chief said the rice donation would cover the needs of affected residents across the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol regions.
“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,” Tiu Laurel said, as he led the ceremonial distribution in Laurel, Batangas.
A total of 4,000 metric tons (MT), or equivalent to 100,000 40-kg. sacks arrived in two batches since December 2024, according to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
The 4,000 MT volume of donated rice is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve’s Tier 3 program.
In a separate speech, South Korean Ambassador to Manila Lee Sang-hwa said their government’s move signifies cooperation between the two countries.
“This donation is more than just a gift of rice; it is a symbolic example of the readiness of both nations to cooperate on food security and disaster resilience,” he said.
In 2024, the country incurred almost one million MT in losses in palay production due to the combined effects of the El Niño phenomenon, successive weather disturbances, pests, volcanic eruption, and La Niña.
The local palay output declined to 19.08 million MT in 2024 from 20.06 million MT palay harvest in 2023.
The DA, however, expressed optimism in local production recovery for the year ahead with more support to farmers.
At least 20.4 million MT is targeted for the local palay output in 2025.
Swift distribution to beneficiaries
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian also expressed his deep appreciation for the rice donation, and assured the swift delivery to its intended beneficiaries.
In his message delivered by Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), the DSWD chief said the support will accelerate the recovery of Kristine-hit Filipinos while assuring them that apart from the local government units (LGUs), international partners are also looking after their welfare and full-recovery.
“I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Republic of Korea. This assistance will definitely go a long way in providing support to families affected by Kristine,” he said.
“We assure you that we will make every effort to ensure these contributions will reach those who need them most. The DSWD, along with its partners, commits to continuously providing unconditional support and assistance toward a brighter, more resilient future for all Filipinos.” (PNA)