27 August 2007
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
LIGAO CITY—THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT has given anew 173 tons or 16,000 galvanized iron sheets to help typhoon survivors rebuild houses in Albay.
Spanish Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Alvaro Trejo said the assistance benefited 151 households from 21 villages in this city.
In a turnover ceremony on Aug. 23, Trejo also announced the Spanish government’s approval of a P60-million grant to the local government for the rehabilitation of the badly-damaged Ligao City Hospital.
Medical equipment
Trejo said the P60 million, coursed through the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacionale, will not only be used for the repair of the hospital but also for the acquisition and upgrade of medical equipment.
The Spanish agency was one of the first institutions to extend help after typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” wreaked massive havoc in the Bicol Region late last year.
It has already extended a total of P54 million to Albay covering community projects on farming and livestock, infrastructure, and education.
Community projects
Cedric Daep, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council, said the Spanish Embassy also gave more than P4 million in farm tools like seeds, pesticides, and knapsack sprayers for those who had lost their livelihood to the storms.
Trejo said he wanted the Filipinos to remember the help of the Spanish government not merely as a doleout but as a product of cooperation between the two countries.
“The Philippines and Spain are two very close countries cooperating to promote development and reduce poverty—all part of a global effort,” Trejo said.
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