UAE donates 55 tons of food for Mayon Volcano victims

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has donated assorted foot stuff for residents affected by the recent activities of Mayon Volcano in Albay province, Nico Waje reported on Unang Balita on Monday.

The donation, weighing 55 tons, arrived past 5 a.m. on Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

Present during the arrival of the donation were Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and UAE Ambassador Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi.

"Napakarami nito, ang importante kasi rito is 'yung gesture of friendship," Abalos said, adding that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has already been informed of the donation and was heartened by it.

"With this kind of gesture, at this hour, we would really like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Abalos said.

Gatchalian, for his part, said the donations will be released immediately.

"Ang goal natin dapat today ma-release na ito para by tomorrow nasa kamay na nila ito. Itong ganitong mga klaseng goods hindi na dapat pinatatagal dahil 'yung urgency is today," he said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News