Last Sept. 16, 2018, typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) hit the Philippines specifically the areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that 95 people died, 69 were wounded and 54 remain missing. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said at least 1.4 million residents have been affected by the typhoon.
The Department of Education (DepEd) said the initial cost of damage to schools affected by typhoon Ompong reached P2.65 billion.
In Cagayan province where it first hit land in the wee hours, Ompong left nearly 76,000 houses. It also damaged crops worth 2.5 billion with losses of corn crops amounting to 1.7 billion and losses in vegetables worth P163 million.
About P4.4 billion in damages were reported by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Official Development Aid (ODA) is a compromised assistance going to developing countries in which Philippines is a part of.
Since Typhoon Ompong devastated the Philippines, countries such as Japan, China, Canada and some countries in Europe extended aid to calamity victims. European countries also have an emergency aid package worth 2 million euro or about P125 million for the typhoon victims.
Meanwhile Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said they are ready to provide maximum possible assistance including provision of relief goods to the Philippines.
For us, foreign aid is a big help to the Philippines. The money is used to save lives especially in terms of calamities and disasters where food and medicines are badly needed.
It rebuilds lives via aid to housing programs. Sometimes, foreign aid is used to cover agricultural losses sustained during calamities.
It is a lifeline for victims to use to pick themselves up and start all over again.
Since the Philippines is still a developing country, we still need help from others especially if the government cannot sustain and provide the needs of its people.
It’s not a bad thing to receive help from others because foreign aid is for everyone.
Even if the country is poor or rich, they still welcome foreign aid if they experience crisis or tragedy.
Countries are helping each other to solve their problems. Foreign aid is beneficial to both receiver and the giver because it does not only help the victims but it also nurtures diplomatic relations.
The only thing about foreign aid is to ensure that it is given to the right recipients.
Twinkle Dimple P. Abucay and Maricel G. Cuico
-International Studies students of University of San Jose-Recoletos
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