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By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
**MANILA, Feb. 9, (APD) – **The Philippines, in a manifestation of solidarity with the People’s Republic of China which was affected by Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (NCP), sent basic emergency and food items including sanitation products for the people of Hubei Province late this afternoon.
At a ceremonial turn over at Clark Development Corporation today, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Brigido J. Dulay turned over the donation to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, on behalf of the Philippine government.
The goods will be turned over to Hubei provincial authorities for local distribution. They are being flown to Wuhan with the DFA-DOH Health Emergency Response Team scheduled to leave tonight via Royal Air to repatriate Filipinos from the province.
“This modest assistance is also our affirmation of the abiding friendship and legacy of mutual aid that has been the hallmark of Philippine-Chinese ties over the years. It is the ‘goose feather from a thousand li away,’ the ‘small gift that conveys affection’ that ancient Chinese have spoken of with regard to sincere tokens of lasting amity,” Undersecretary Dulay said in his turnover remarks.
Ambassador Huang expressed the gratitude and appreciation of the Chinese government for the gesture of the Philippine government and the Filipino people.
“On behalf of the government and people of China, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the people of the Philippines and the donors who have made this possible,” Ambassador Huang said.
“Mutual assistance and cooperation in times of emergencies and natural calamities have characterized Philippine-China relations over the years,” the DFA statement said.
Since the outbreak of the 2019-Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease, the two countries have worked closely toward securing the safety of Filipino nationals in affected areas.
Fifty-six persons, including four infants, will be repatriated from Wuhan, China through the cooperation between the Chinese and Philippine governments.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)