Connect with us

News

Outgoing SoKor envoy turns over $500-K Covid-19 donations

Published

on

DONATIONS. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (right) receives in-kind donations from Korea through outgoing Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man (left) during the ceremonial turnover ceremony on Wednesday (Nov. 26, 2020). The donations to the Philippines consist of 17,664 Covid-19 diagnostic kits, one set of PCR and DNA extraction equipment, and 300 sets of PPE, with an aggregate value of USD500,000 (PHP24.5 million). (Photo by DFA-OSCR Philip Adrian Fernandez via PNA)

MANILA – Outgoing Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man on Wednesday turned over to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. a batch of Korean in-kind donations to the Philippines consisting of 17,664 Covid-19 diagnostic kits, one set of PCR and DNA extraction equipment, and 300 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE), with an aggregate value of USD500,000 (PHP24.5 million).

The donation was in line with the USD5-million (PHP245 million) pledge of assistance by Korea to the 10 Asean member states, funded under the Asean-ROK Assistance Fund.

National Task Force for Covid-19 spokesperson Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, Department of Health Undersecretary Carolina Vidal-Taiño, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asean Affairs Junever Mahilum-West, Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr., and Foreign Affairs Executive Director for Asian and Pacific Affairs Josel Ignacio witnessed the turnover.

In addition to the Korean government’s donation, the United Korean Community Association also turned over a donation of PHP150,000 in cash and USD2,000 (PHP98,000) in medical kits to the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF). Mme. Maria Lourdes Locsin as IBF’s chairperson, joined in receiving the donation.

ASPAC Korea 3

(Photo by DFA-OSCR Philip Adrian Fernandez)

Established in 1966, the IBF’s fund-raising projects are geared towards providing livelihood, education and health assistance to the underprivileged, disabled and disadvantaged.

The end of Ambassador Han’s Philippine stint also ushers in his retirement, following 35 years in the Korean diplomatic service.

The Republic of Korea is the Philippine’s fifth largest trade partner (USD11.72 billion in 2019), fourth largest source of Overseas Development Assistance (USD630.57 million in active assistance), fourth largest source of foreign direct investment (USD142.72 million in 2019), and top source of foreign tourists (1,989,322 in 2019).

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle2 weeks ago

Nobody Wants This…IRL (In Real Life)

Just like everyone else who’s binged on Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This” — a romcom about a newly single rabbi...

Lifestyle3 weeks ago

Family Estrangement: Why It’s Okay

Family estrangement is the absence of a previously long-standing relationship between family members via emotional or physical distancing to the...

Lifestyle2 months ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The True Power of Manifestation

I truly believe in the power of our imagination and that what we believe in our lives is an actual...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

DECORATE YOUR HOME 101

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Our home interiors are an insight into our brains and our hearts. It is our own collaboration...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Guide to Planning a Wedding in 2 Months

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Are you recently engaged and find yourself in a bit of a pickle because you and your...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Staying Cool and Stylish this Summer

By Matte Laurel-Zalko I couldn’t agree more when the great late Ella Fitzgerald sang “Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

Ageing Gratefully and Joyfully

My 56th trip around the sun is just around the corner! Whew. Wow. Admittedly, I used to be afraid of...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

My Love Affair With Pearls

On March 18, 2023, my article, The Power of Pearls was published. In that article, I wrote about the history...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

7 Creative Ways to Propose!

Sometime in April 2022, my significant other gave me a heads up: he will be proposing to me on May...