Representative Wallace M.G. Chow of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), recently handed over the first batch of 1,000 metric tons of milled rice to the Philippines, which was received by Chairman and Resident Representative Silvestre H. Bello III of Manila Economic and Cultural Office.

Joining Bello in the ceremonial turnover of the rice donation were officials from Department of Agriculture and other government executives.

In his remarks, Chow said Taiwan has prioritized agriculture development and food security cooperation with the government of the Philippines as climate change has affected greatly the farming industry in the country. The rice donation, he added, is yet another testament of the solid collaboration between the Philippines and Taiwan, and is part of other ongoing projects such as the Taiwan Technical Mission on Agriculture in Tarlac, the Mushroom Demonstration Farm in Baguio and the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan.

Chow also emphasized that Taiwan is a reliable partner to the Philippines, and this valued partnership will continue with the mutual respect between the two countries.

In response to the insufficient food supply caused by climate change, Taiwan has committed to donate 2,000 metric tons of milled rice to the Philippines. The donated rice will serve as additional food security stocks to be distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in collaboration with DA, to the government’s pro-poor and relief operation programs for calamity or emergency situations.