CATARMAN, Northern Samar — The Province of Northern Samar, on February 27, 2024, received 7,850 bags of milled rice donated by the Republic of Korea under Tier 3 of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Program. The donation is intended for families affected by the recent flooding and landslides in the province.
The ceremonial turnover, held at the Ibabao Hall, was honored by the presence of the APTERR Secretariat, the implementing body of APTERR programs, representing the donor country, the Republic of Korea Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (KOR-AFRA).
APTERR Secretariat head, General Manager Dr. Choomjet Karnajakesorn, based in Bangkok, Thailand, led the ceremonial turnover to the National Food Authority and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The donation was received by Governor Edwin Ongchuan and the beneficiary LGUs: Las Navas, Catubig, Lope de Vega, and Palapag.
Governor Ongchuan expressed sincere appreciation to APTERR for facilitating the rice donation and promoting the spirit of multi-national cooperation. He emphasized the importance of APTERR in providing a cushion against food insecurity, especially with the continuous increase in rice prices worldwide. The governor also acknowledged the support of the national government, through the DSWD, the Department of Agriculture, and its attached agency, NFA, for aiding Northern Samar after the flooding in November last year.
Joining Dr. Karnjanakesorn were Japanese Expert Akinori Ando and other members of the APTERR Secretariat, NFA officials led by Administrator Roderico Bioco, and DSWD Regional Office representatives. Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Provincial Government department heads, led by Provincial Administrator and former NFA Administrator, Atty. Efren Sabong, also attended the turnover.
Representatives from the beneficiary LGUs were Las Navas Mayor Arlito Tan, Catubig Vice Mayor Galahad Vicencio, Palapag Vice Mayor Melvic Chy, and Lope de Vega Municipal Administrator Jayson Santos.
