Korean embassy donates food truck to PH Red Cross

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon thanked the Korean embassy for sharing its food truck with his agency recently.

According to Gordon, the food truck will help provide nutritious and hot food to those affected by disasters and other crises in the country.

Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Inchul Kim himself led the turnover ceremony at the PRC headquarters in Mandaluyong.

The truck is complete with kitchen equipment that can prepare food for 800 people in its 8 hours of operation.

According to Kim, Korea is happy with the cooperation with the PRC, while Gordon assured that those most in need would benefit from the donation provided by Korea.

So far, the PRC has 15 food trucks in Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Iloilo, Davao City, and Bacolod.

The Korean Embassy and the PRC have also previously worked together to meet the needs of those affected by the Marawi siege in 2017, the eruption of Mayon Volcano in 2018, Bagong Ompong in 2018, the earthquakes in Mindanao in 2019, and the eruption of Taal Volcano and Typhoon Rolly in 2020.

Korean embassy donates food truck to PH Red Cross

“Bayanihan is at the heart of Korea’s assistance for the Filipino people, in particular for those affected by natural disasters or in predicament,” said Kim.

“Korea is glad to partner with the Red Cross in implementing its various humanitarian assistance efforts in the Philippines.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross will have upcoming Moderna coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines in June or July, Gordon announced last month.

“Halimbawa [ang bibili] kayang-kaya na magbayad. Hindi naman gaano kamahal, mayroon kang magbabayad ka, magdo-donate ka para sa may hindi kaya para mas marami tayo, makarami tayo,” Gordon said.

Gordon added that the Philippine Red Cross would also provide certification proving that the donated vaccine has been used for those in need.

However, Maria Carissa Coscolluela, Red Cross Philippines’ governor, said they are “not in the business of selling vaccines.”

She said Philippine Red Cross members and donors “can bear the cost of the vaccines, which is at US$26.83 per dose.”