Tacloban City, September 28, 2015 — Ambassador Zhao Jianhua of the People’s Republic of China visited transitional shelters Tagpuro and Cali, this city to give out family food packs.

The recipients were very grateful as the supply of goods brought by the ambassador will last them a month. They even learned to say xie xie (thank you in the Chinese language) to Ambassador Zhao.

“I can see from your smiles that you are confident and you have a better life. The Chinese embassy in China would like to continue this kind of assistance. This is my first time here but I promise it won’t be the last”, Ambassador Zhao announced.

The ambassador continued, “Please remember that you are not alone. You have China, you have IOM. We will always stand together with you and make sure you’ll have a better life.”

Ambassador Zhao and party with DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Resty Macuto went around Tagpuro and said hello to some children and adults. The ambassador remarked, “This reminds me of my growing up years, as I grew up in the countryside.”

At the Cali transitional shelter site/project, Ambassador Zhao visited two families. The first family was that of Jemmar Luzarita who lost four children when the storm surge came in during Super typhoon Yolanda. The second family visited was the family of Jonard Golong who lost two children during the surge. Both the families’ houses in San Jose, this city, were totally damaged. The ambassador gave comforting words to both families and told them that things will get better.

The Ambassador also spoke about his conversation with Secretary Dinky who told him that she has a trusted and very capable regional office here. He then thanked DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Resty Macuto for being very helpful to them. He likewise thanked Country Chief of Missions of IOM Marco Boasso for doing a lot to the people of Tacloban.

Meanwhile, ARDO Resty thanked Ambassador Zhao for coming to the transitional shelters and remarked, “This is a manifestation of our longing for lasting friendship with the Republic of China. Mabuhay! Welcome to this transitional site! We will be moving these families soon to a permanent shelter so that they will have a decent life away from disasters.”

The Ambassador, according to third secretary of the Chinese embassy Miss Yuan Fang, coordinated with DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman as the former offered to give help to the residents in the Tacloban City shelters. He also linked with the city government thru vice Mayor Jerry SamboYaokasin for the packing of goods. ###