Singapore president turns over $7 M for Yolanda projects

MANILA, Philippines - Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam yesterday handed over $7 million in donations to partner organizations in the Philippines of the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) involved in post-Yolanda rehabilitation projects.

“I hope that our contributions, which are but a small gesture of friendship and solidarity with the Filipino people, will make a difference in the lives of the communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda),” he said.

Tan will visit Samar today    to inspect the reconstruction of Basey District Hospital, which is a project of the SRC.

“We will continue to stand with you in your efforts to rebuild your community,” Singapore Red Cross secretary-general Benjamin William said.

President Aquino thanked Tan for Singapore’s assistance to the Philippines in the aftermath of sYolanda last year.

In a speech welcoming Tan at Malacañang on Thursday, Aquino said Filipinos would not forget the kindness extended by Singapore to the  Philippines.

Following the calamity, Singapore deployed a Civil Defense Force team to assist the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Activities, as well as a C-130 aircraft to support ferrying operations between Tacloban and Manila, he added.

Singapore also donated $33,600 in emergency supplies, $96,000 in relief goods and $160,000 as seed money for the SRC’s Yolanda fund-raising drive, Aquino said.

Fund-raising efforts by the private sector, businesses, non-government organizations, the academe, as well as the overseas Filipino community in Singapore have also collected more than $10 million.

Tan will visit today Basey, Western Samar to present medical supplies to the Basey District Hospital.

The initiative is a joint rehabilitation project of the SRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Aquino said the Philippines    plans to build better, stronger, and more resilient communities for the typhoon survivors.

The speedy rehabilitation of health service facilities in affected areas is key to these efforts, he added.

Tan arrived on Wednesday for his first state visit and will return to Singapore tonight.