Taiwanese NGO helps Cotabato quake victims

The nonprofit government organization (NGO) Tian Pao Taiwan-Philippines Mission Team has handed out hundreds of sacks of rice and boxes of grocery items to families from three sitios at Barangay Perez in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, following the series of strong earthquakes that hit the province in October.

The team headed by Chien Hsien Fu braved landslide and typhoon warnings on Nov. 13 to distribute goods to residents of Sitios Sumayahon, Embassi and Bagong Silang where 232 families displaced by the series of temblors were staying in evacuation areas.

Chien was assisted by members of the Malamote Alliance Evangelical Church based in Kabacan, North Cotabato. Observers present during the distribution noted it was the most “organized and abundant” relief effort for earthquake victims there.

Tian Pao Taiwan’s local mission also distributed camping tents to the sitio residents and donated cash for the purchase of school supplies for the Earthquake Learners Survivors group of Sitio Sumayahon Elementary School.

Three earthquakes ranging from magnitude 6.1 to 6.5 struck North Cotabato in the second half of October, killing 31 people and damaging infrastructure and property throughout the province.