by Miriam G. Desacada
Catarman N.Samar–To personally assess the effectiveness of European Union’s humanitarian aids to Northern Samar province in times of calamities, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron headed a delegation of EU officials and consortium partners in visiting the province on Monday (February 19).
The diplomatic visit to Northern Samar was a first for the EU’s top official in the Philippines, but it strengthened the ties and renewed the partnership between EU and Northern Samar in terms of post-disaster response and relief assistance to affected communities in the province.
Véron said the Northern Samar visit was for a number of reasons, but primarily to assess the effectiveness of EU’s humanitarian assistance towards improving its relief efforts to the area. The EU, through its consortium partners, has provided already a total of about P18 million in humanitarian aid so far.
“With Eastern Visayas, particularly Northern Samar being prone to natural disasters, the European Union will continue to be on the side of the Filipino vulnerable population to offer help whenever needed. This visit is meaningful to me, and I thank you very much for the warm welcome,” the Ambassador said in his speech.
Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan, with Vice Governor Clarence Dato, led the provincial officials in welcoming Véron and the EU delegation as he acknowledged EU’s help in the relief and rebuilding activities of Northern Samar, especially after the massive flooding that hit the province in November last year.
“Through your partner NGOs, your presence was immediately felt on the ground as your humanitarian program was able to reach and provide assistance to the most affected families in Northern Samar,” Ongchuan told the ambassador and the EU delegation.
The financial aid supported the delivery of food, livelihood support, clean water supplies, sanitation facilities and education to the affected communities and people, added the governor.
Dato, for his part, also expressed gratitude to the visitors, saying: “We are located in the portion of the Philippines usually affected by typhoons and other severe weather phenomena. And we must admit that our resources are limited to address the issues affecting our people.”
The vice governor, who was with the Provincial Board members, added in his message: “We are and will always be thankful for the help you gave and continue to extend to our fellow Nortehanons. We look forward to more collaborations with the European Union through your local partners, as we aim to realize our vision of a resilient, progressive and happy Nortehanon community.”
Veron was with his brother, Hugues Véron, his secretary Catalina Desinganio, and ECHO program manager Arlynn Aquino, who oversees EU’s humanitarian programs in the Philippines.
The EU delegation included the officials of the union’s consortium partners: Action Against Hunger country director Suresanathan Murugesu and deputy country director Melinda Buensuceso; CARE country director Reiza Dejito; Humanity and Inclusion country manager Melanie Ruiz; Save the Children’s CEO Alberto Muyot and its director for program implementation Benjamin Delfin II.
The PB members who were there in full force to welcome the EU delegation were Don Abalon, Christian Emmanuel Uy, Albert Lucero, Victorio Singzon II, Leonida Laodenio, Gina Silvano, Marites Gillamac, Dexter Galit, and Liza Esidera.
Joining them were provincial department heads led by Provincial Administrator Efren Sabong, PSWD officer Jenny Darish, PDRRMO head Rei Josiah Echano, and Northern Samar Police Provincial director, Col. Sonnie Omengan. —Miriam G. Desacada