PNoy thanks world leaders through phone calls
Malacanang on Saturday confirmed that President Benigno S. Aquino III has called some world leaders to personally thank them for their assistance in the relief efforts for the victims of supertyphoon “Yolanda.”
“The president did mention that he as well as the Filipino people are very thankful for the expressions of solidarity by our neighboring countries at nagpapasalamat ang Pangulo para sa lahat ng pagtulong na pinadala sa atin nitong mga bansang ito [the president also thanked them for the assistance sent by these countries],” Valte said.
Valte said the world leaders had said that their government is ready to provide further assistance to the Philippines.
“What the president said was that all of them always end with saying that if there’s anything else we can help you with, just say the word, and the president was very, very happy and very thankful for all the support that we have been receiving,” she said.
Valte said that in President Aquino’s phone conversation with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, the two leaders have discussed details of the emergency loan.
Earlier this week, World Bank has announced that it will add $480-billion in emergency aid to the Philippines. The World Bank had initially committed $500-million, bringing almost $1-billion in support to the recovery of typhoon-affected areas.
The $480-million will be used for the Community-Driven Development Project for the Philippines, which will allow localities to tap the funds for their own rebuilding projects.
Valte also said that World Bank has already sent a group to the Philippines composed of experts on rehabilitation.
“I understand this particular group has vast experience in post disaster work because they have already experience in post disaster work in areas like Turkey, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan as well as in Haiti,” she said.
“Our officials would also benefit from the shared experience that this group will bring to the table for the recovery and reconstruction plan,” she added.
Valte said the president’s conversations with the World Leaders, as well as the previous calls from United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron and United States President Barack Obama “bring a message of hope” to the Filipinos.
“The President did mention that it matters because it’s important for us as a people at this time to know that our neighbors are here and that our neighbors are helping us and that there will be other nations who will be rooting for our recovery,” she said.
The Palace official also noted that ordinary citizens from other countries have been flocking in the country to help in the relief efforts.
“Our embassies are getting flooded with calls from foreign volunteers and if you notice, there is an influx of foreign volunteers who come and then ask to be allowed to go to these places. In fact, they had to set up a special desk specifically for foreign volunteers so their needs can be addressed,” Valte said.
Based on the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAiTH) set up by the government to track foreign donations to the Philippines for the victims of supertyphoon “Yolanda,” total foreign aid pledges have now reached P14.985 billion ($343.627 million). Cash donations were at P4.553 billion ($104.217 million) while non-cash items were pegged at P10.433 billion equivalent to $239.41 million.
