Philippines gets 4,000 MT of rice from South Korea for ‘Kristine’-hit areas
Credit to Author: Cristina Chi| Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2025 11:38:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — South Korea has donated 4,000 metric tons of rice to assist families in five regions affected by Severe Tropical Storm "Kristine." The aid was officially turned over during a ceremony in Batangas on Monday, February 3.
The donation, equivalent to 100,000 sacks of rice weighing 40 kilograms each, was shipped in two batches from South Korea to the Philippines in December. The final shipment arrived on January 20.
The National Food Authority office in Batangas said the rice will be distributed to families in Regions I to V affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami). The storm, which struck Luzon last year, impacted over 6.7 million people and displaced more than 700,000 when combined with another super typhoon.
Cooperation. Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, who attended the ceremony, said the donation goes beyond humanitarian aid.
"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," Lee said in a statement from the South Korean embassy in Manila.
The rice was donated through the ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Tier-3 Program — a rice bank cooperation between ASEAN member states and China, South Korea and Japan. This mechanism is activated during emergencies when member countries face severe calamities and are unable to meet rice demands through national reserves or regular trade channels.
The turnover ceremony in the municipality of Laurel gathered Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe, Laurel Mayor Lyndon M. Bruce, and APTERR Secretary-General Choomjet Karnjanakesorn.
Followup. The donation aligns with commitments made during the Korea-Philippines summit last October, where both nations elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership.
"This rice donation is recognized as a significant milestone in strengthening the Philippines’ food security and further advancing bilateral cooperation," the Embassy of the Republic of Korea stated.
Both countries aim to expand their collaboration toward sustainable development and mutual prosperity.
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South Korea previously donated rice through the same ASEAN rice bank mechanism in February 2024. It donated 750 metric tons of rice to support areas in Eastern Visayas, Davao, and Soccsksargen regions that were hit by floods and earthquakes