By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude on Saturday, Nov. 12, for Japan’s continued support to the Philippines for hosting thousands of Filipinos, as well as on COVID-19 response and disaster management.
“I cannot end my remarks without expressing my appreciation for Japan’s hospitality and protection for over 250,000 Filipinos who now call Japan home,” the President said in his intervention during the 25th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Phnom Penh.
“They have been taken in by the Japanese people and have now found a place to live and work happily. For that we will always be grateful,” he added.
The President also thanked Japan for supporting the Philippines during the country’s bout against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic shows the agility of our partnership – we came to depend on Japan’s substantial assistance to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and to the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework,” he added.
The Chief Executive also cited Japan’s support on the country’s disaster management, particularly its support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Coordination Council for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) on Disaster Management.
One of the recent highlight programs of the AHA Centre is the establishment of the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) satellite warehouse located in the Philippines and Thailand.
The satellite warehouses, together with the main DELSA warehouse in Malaysia, ensured the provision of speedy relief assistance to disaster-affected regions in ASEAN.
The President further encouraged Japan to continue its strong support and involvement in the programs of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity through the establishment and management of ASEAN heritage parks. –ag
