Japan has donated 300 metric tons of rice to families affected by Mayon Volcano’s unrest.

(Photo courtesy of Japan Embassy in the Philippines)

Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke, of the Japan Embassy in Manila, led the turnover of rice donation for the province of Albay on Aug. 17.

The government of Japan made the donation under the framework of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR).

“Japan, as the biggest contributor of APTERR rice in the Philippines, has always been ready to lend a helping hand during trying times,” Nihei said.

He added that the donated rice from Japan will be immediately delivered to the affected families in need of sustenance and hopefully serve as a source of revitalization.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of Aug. 10, a total of 9,876 families or about 38,961 persons in 26 barangays were seriously affected.

A total of 5,371 families are reportedly staying in 27 evacuation centers, while 418 families are seeking shelters outside of the evacuation center.

APTERR is a regional cooperation started in 2012, which aims to strengthen food security, poverty alleviation and malnourishment eradication among its member countries.

To accomplish its common goal, the APTERR Parties have agreed to establish rice stocks to assist member countries in times of large-scale natural disasters.

In the Philippines, several thousand tons of stockpiled rice from Japan under APTERR were distributed to previous typhoon victims during Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, Typhoon Ineng in 2015, Typhoon Jenny in 2019, Typhoon Odette in 2022 to name a few.

In 2020, Japan also provided 425 metric tons of rice to households affected by the Taal Volcano eruption; in 2021, pre-cooked rice were distributed to families affected by COVID-19 in Quezon City, the City of Manila, and selected parts of the provinces of Bulacan and Cavite. 

Published Date: August 20, 2023