By Jessica M. Bacud
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — The provinces of Cagayan and Isabela received support from Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) officials through Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairman and Resident Representative Silvestre H. “Bebot” Bello III in a ceremony held at Balai, Capitol Compound, Alibagu, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Bello, with Taiwan representatives to the Philippines Eric Lim and Obayashi Oshimune, handed the US$200,000 (about P11.3 million) check to Cagayan Gov. Manuel N. Mamba for the province.
Another US$200,000 was given to Gov. Rodito T. Albano to help Isabela’s reconstruction efforts following Typhoon Paeng last month.
Mamba expressed his gratitude to Bello III and Taiwan’s Lim and Oshimune. “The $200,000 given to the province of Cagayan will be for the procurement of a lot intended for a relocation site for villagers, whose houses were washed out due to typhoon,” he said.
Meanwhile, Albano extended his thanks to the MECO Chairman, saying: “Salamat Manong Bebot sa biyayang dinala mo sa amin.”
“Kahit hindi na ikaw ang Secretary ng DOLE, walang tigil at diyan pa rin kayo. Nilalagay kayo ng Diyos kung saan kayo makakatulong sa lahat,” the Isabela governor added.
Bello was the former Labor Secretary under the Duterte administration who brought various forms of government support and other livelihood programs that benefitted many Isabeleños, helping them recover from the effects of COVID-19.
MECO works closely with Taiwan in a wide range of areas, such as agriculture, education, and tourism, and enhances bilateral cooperation and partnership, which is expected to improve the welfare of people in both Taiwan and the Philippines.