The government of Taiwan through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) has donated PHP25.47 million to assist the Philippine government in handling the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette.

In a media interview on Wednesday, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista said he received Taiwan’s donations from MECO, a non-profit and non-stock private corporation with a mission to sustain and enhance mutually beneficial relationships between the economies and societies of the Philippines and Taiwan, on January 4.

“These donations were given by MECO as an act of generosity to assist the Philippine government in the relief efforts for the families affected by Typhoon Odette,” Bautista said.

Bautista expressed deep appreciation to MECO and Taiwan government for helping the Philippines recover from the super typhoon that hit at least six regions, particularly in Mindanao and Visayas.

On Dec. 22, 2021, MECO chairman and resident representative Wilfredo Fernandez accepted the disaster relief funds on behalf of the Philippine government from Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaujhieh Joseph Wu in a hand-over ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan.

On top of the PHP25.47 million, MECO Vice Chairman Eddie Tamondong also donated PHP6.7 million to the DSWD for the typhoon victims.

In January 2018, the government of Taiwan also provided aid to the Philippines to rehabilitate war-torn Marawi in Mindanao.

MECO has defined the relationship between the Philippines and Taiwan as a very old friendship.

“It had its early beginnings way back 10,000 years ago and is believed to have originated from either the Philippines or southeast China, according to a recent analysis,” MECO said. (PNA)