PH donates P8.2-M to China

Despite a simmering territorial row in the South China Sea, the Philippine government is donating US$200,000 (over P8.2 million) to the Chinese government after recent earthquakes hit China’s southwestern provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou.

A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) statement said the donation is "a gesture of support and friendship" to the people of China.

The ceremonial handover of the donation was held during the courtesy call of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario on Friday, October 19.

On September 7, two major earthquakes measuring 5.6 and 5.7 and several aftershocks hit Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces in southwestern China, causing the death of 80 and injuring more than 800 others.

Thousands of people were evacuated and were in need of relocation. Direct economic losses from the tremors were estimated at more than half a billion dollars, as reported by China’s state media Xinhua.-Black Pearl (October 19, 2012 9:00PM)