United Arab Emirates (UAE) donates assistance to calamity-hit families

Provincial Governor Dorothy “Dotdot” M. Gonzaga, Maco Mayor Arthur Carlos Voltaire Rimando, other national and local officials welcomed the delegation to the ceremonial distribution of donated assistance from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Brgy. Elizalde, Maco, yesterday, March 17, 2024.

His Excellency Mohammed Obaid Alqattam Alzaabi was joined by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian in the turn-over of an initial 950 relief goods to the internally displaced families currently at the evacuation centers and the families in the Kampo Uno, the temporary relocation site affected in the recent Masara landslide.

In his message, the ambassador appreciated the partnership between the two countries saying “our country  (UAE) has deep-rooted friendly relation with the Philippines and is always ready to send help together (sic) in time of need.”

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian also recognized the UAE as among the first countries who immediately responded when the country was then hit by the devastation of the Mayon Volcano eruption.

“You have been there through the hardest time in our country. In fact, you are the first country to respond to the Mayon volcano victims and now you are again the first country to respond … that happened here in Davao de Oro and we are forever grateful to the humanitarian assistance you have extended,” Sec. Gatchalian said addressing the ambassador.

Meanwhile, Gov. Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga expressed her gratitude for the constant support extended by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. through the DSWD and the assistance given by the UAE.

“In behalf of the people of Maco and the rest of the people of Davao de Oro, we wish to extend our heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the UAE.  The act of gift-giving during the occasion of the month of Ramadan has been made even more meaningful…that our Muslim brothers and sisters have shown how generous, how loving, how caring they are to the rest of the humanity,” Gov. Dot said.

Also present were Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Undersecretary for DSWD-Disaster Response Diana Rose Cajipe, DSWD Regional Director Vanessa Goc-ong, Diplomat Khalid Alhajeri, 1001st Brigade Commander Felix Ronnie Babac, PNP Provincial Director Benedicto Faco, and other local officials.//

📷 Radyo Amigo & Reynaldo Renoblas of PIO