China donates P90-M typhoon disaster relief aid to PHL

China on Monday said it has awarded a total of P90-million typhoon aid to the government's relief efforts in areas hit by supertyphoon Lawin (international name Haima), which devastated provinces in north Luzon. 

The Chinese embassy announced that its government has committed 5 million RMB (P35 million) to Philippine disaster relief efforts.

Also on Monday, the embassy said it donated an additional P50-million aid for the farmers and fishermen in typhoon-affected regions.

An additional $100,000 will also be provided by the Red Cross Society of China to the Philippines.

"Up to now, the overall amount of aid from Chinese side is about 90 million pesos," the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

"The Chinese side is confident that under the leadership of President [Rodrigo] Duterte, people in the stricken areas will overcome the calamity and return to their normal work and lives as soon as possible," it added.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, backtracking on her earlier statement that Philippine typhoon relief efforts did not need foreign assistance, had said that the country welcomes any assistance from foreign governments and organizations, as long as the aid had no accompanying conditions.

"Pasensya na kung ang dating ng komento na iyon ay kaya na natin ito at hindi na natin kailangan ng foreign aid," Taguiwalo said in a Malacañang press briefing.

"Handa tayong tanggapin ang tulong na ito batay sa ating pangangailangan at batay sa walang kundisyon," she explained. "Ibig sabihin, bukal na loob na tulong ng mga mamamayan ng mga organisasyon, ng mga pamahalaan sa ibang bansa para tulungan tayong bumangon.” — ALG, GMA News