Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez turns over US$100,000 financial assistance from the Speaker’s Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative to Turkish Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol for the victims of the massive earthquake that struck his country last February 6, 2023, causing widespread devastation.
MANILA, Philippines — Turkey’s Ambassador to the Philippines on Monday expressed his gratitude to the government for its US$100,000 assistance through the House of Representative Speaker’s Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake jolted central Turkey and Syria on February 7, with over 30,000 deaths reported, so far.
“You know in an event like this, it’s very good to know you have your friends on your side,” said Ambassador Niyazi Evren Aykol during the turnover ceremony.
According to Akyol, in a statement from the office of Speaker Martin Romualdez, Turkey is consoled by the fact that 99 countries have already offered assistance after the earthquake, including the Philippines.
“We have on the ground almost 10,400 rescue workers and of course the Philippines is one of the major contributors,” said Akyol.
He thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the swift deployment of a Philippine rescue team within 48 hours.
He likewise thanked the Philippine Red Cross for extending due assistance to the earthquake victims, as well as Romualdez for the financial aid the Speaker’s Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative sent.
“The very fact that you thought about this is enough for us. And your generosity is most heart-warming and touching in this hour of need. The fact that you thought about this, that you made an organization to make this happen is much, much appreciated, Speaker. Thank you,” he said.
Meanwhile, Speaker Romualdez vowed that the Philippines will continue to support the emergency and relief operations in Turkey.