Around 50,000 families and more than 300,000 household members affected by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” across Regions I to V will benefit from the assistance provided by the Republic of Korea through its Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (ROK-MAFRA) on February 3, 2025 in Laurel, Batangas.
In partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), ROK-MAFRA distributed 4,000 metric tons of milled rice to affected families.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., together with ROK Ambassador His Excellency Lee Sang-hwa, led the turnover ceremony, an initiative through the Tier 3 program of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR). Joining them were DA-NFA Administrator Larry R. Lacson, APTERR General Manager Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, DSWD Undersecretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe, and Laurel Mayor Lyndon M. Bruce.
Also present at the event were DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Christopher V. Morales, DA-CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Fidel L. Libao, and other local government officials from Batangas province.
“The distribution of 4,000 MT of rice to constituents of Regions I to V affected by severe tropical storm “Trami” or locally called “Kristine” moves the country towards full recovery and rehabilitation,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said.
“This gift of rice from the government of Korea is certainly welcome and provides timely assistance to the Philippine government in its efforts to provide aid to calamity affected provinces,” he added.
According to NFA, 1,500 beneficiaries in Laurel, Batangas, will receive a portion of the donated rice. As part of the ceremonial distribution, 100 beneficiaries received the initial allocation.
NFA Administrator Lacson said, “We thank all our partner agencies for the collaborative efforts shared to ensure the swift arrival of these rice stocks, thus, enabling the holding of this activity.”
“As approved by the NFA council, the rice will be distributed to the affected communities of severe tropical storm “Kristine” or internationally called “Trami” in Regions I-V to be led by DSWD in coordination with the concerned local government units,” he added.
APTERR is a regional collaboration aimed at strengthening food security, poverty alleviation, and the eradication of malnutrition among its members without distorting normal trade. Its common goal is to ensure food security in the ASEAN+3 region. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
