LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – China’s Shandong province has extended aid to the provincial government of Ilocos Norte amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by donating medical materials and relief packs for the frontliners and residents of the province.
Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc together with the members of the Task Force Salun-at received the other day from Shandong province 25,000 medical surgical masks; 2,000 N95 medical masks; 2,000 medical goggles; and 2,000 sets of medical protective suits, alongside the P600,000 worth of relief goods.
Consul Zhou Youbin, head of the Consulate of People’s Republic of China in Laoag City, personally delivered the assistance to Ilocos Norte officials.
“China will always remember the support from Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and other Filipinos during our country’s fight against COVID-19. As Ilocos Norte is facing similar situation, we remain keen and hopeful to help the locals. Despite its own difficulties, Shandong government raised an amount to buy the most urgently needed medical materials,” Consul Zhou stated.
Ilocos Norte has shared sisterhood ties with Shandong Province since 2002 and has already welcomed groups from various committees of the Shandong government for partnerships and agreements.
Consul Zhou also conveyed his hope to the provincial government as it fights the disease.
“I believe that under the leadership of Gov. Marcos Manotoc, the situation here in Ilocos Norte will be under control. I wish that all patients infected and those who are under investigation will recover soon. We are together, so we shall win together as well.”
Gov. Manotoc expressed his message of gratitude to the Consulate of China for their continuous support to the province.
“We really thank the Province of Shandong. Even though mas affected pa sila sa China kaysa sa atin, they are the ones helping us. We feel grateful and humbled here in the province. Yung stocks ng boxes, napakarami so we thank our sister province, Shandong.”
The provincial government has also received medical materials and other donations from other partner agencies, companies, and even from various groups and individuals in the province. (Freddie G. Lazaro)