Quake-hit Japan city helped by PHL donates Y10M for Yolanda rehab

Residents of a Japanese city assisted by the Philippines after being devastated by a magnitude-9 quake in 2011 returned the favor after more than two years, donating Y10 million for relief efforts in areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said Ishinomaki City, one of the areas hit by the 2011 quake, also condoled with the residents affected by Yolanda.

Yolanda had left more than 6,100 dead after barreling through the Visayas and parts of Southern Luzon last Nov. 8.

In an article posted on its website Thursday, the embassy said Ishinomaki City Vice Mayor Takeshi Sasano informed the Embassy of the donation during a call on Chargé d’Affaires and Consul General Marian Jocelyn Ignacio.

Sasano handed over a personal condolence letter from City Mayor Hiroshi Kameyama addressed to President Benigno Aquino III.

In the letter, the mayor relayed the sympathies of city officials and residents to the Filipino people over the devastation caused by Yolanda.

The embassy also said Sasano reiterated the solidarity of Ishinomaki City with the Philippines, as it undertakes recovery and reconstruction efforts.

For her part, Ignacio thanked the Vice Mayor for Ishinomaki City’s donation.

“This kind gesture of Ishinomaki City is a testament to the strong kizuna [bonds of friendship] and bayanihan that exist between the Philippines and Japan. The Philippines is committed to the furtherance of our strong ties with Japan not just in disaster risk reduction and response, but in all fields,” she said.

Sasano also said the City and its people remain thankful for the $1-million donation from the Philippine government to Ishinomaki City on March 11, 2011.

The 2011 quake had caused 10-meter-high tsunamis and left over 3,000 dead.

Aquino visited the city's coastal areas during his official visit to Japan on September 26, 2011. He met with Mayor Kameyama and pledged financial assistance, then visited the ruins of Kadonowaki Elementary School to offer flowers and prayers for those who died.

The President also met with some 150 Filipinos from the affected areas of T?hoku region. — KBK, GMA News