Grateful South Korea makes PH biggest aid recipient
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—South Korea continues to be grateful to Filipinos for their role in the 1950-1953 Korean War, a Seoul official said here Thursday.
As a manifestation of its gratitude, South Korea has chosen the Philippines as the largest recipient of its development assistance fund, Kim Jinoh, resident representative of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), told the Inquirer.
At least 7,500 Filipino soldiers fought alongside Koreans against the communists during the war.
Among them was Fidel Ramos, who eventually became a Philippine president. The journalist Benigno S. Aquino Jr., who later became senator, covered the war, which saw the division of the Korean peninsula into the North and the South.
“Sixty years ago, the Philippines came to protect democracy in Korea and we would like to repay what they have done for the Koreans,” Kim said during the 6th founding anniversary of the Regional Training Center-Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC) here.
The South Korea-funded center recently received a silver accreditation from the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission, the second highest accreditation given for a technical school.
He said each year, the South Korea government through Koica sends $15 million to the Philippines, making it the largest grant recipient among the 44 developing countries that the agency has been assisting.
Kim said Koica plans to increase that amount to $20 million starting this year.
“These are grant assistance and not loans,” he said.
Kim said Koica’s funds are being used in development projects such as construction of hospitals, post-harvest facilities, and educational training centers.
In Palawan, Koica helped construct an airport.
Kim said South Korea also wanted to foster much closer relationship with the Philippines – not just in terms of aid – but also by increasing bilateral ties.
He said Seoul has found that South Korean businessmen are very much interested in investing in the Philippines. He noted the presence of about 120,000 South Koreans in the country.
“Koreans have a great appreciation for Filipinos and we are very happy to discover that Filipinos feel the same,” he said.
At least 7,500 Filipino soldiers fought alongside Koreans against the communists during the war.
Among them was Fidel Ramos, who eventually became a Philippine president. The journalist Benigno S. Aquino Jr., who later became senator, covered the war, which saw the division of the Korean peninsula into the North and the South.
“Sixty years ago, the Philippines came to protect democracy in Korea and we would like to repay what they have done for the Koreans,” Kim said during the 6th founding anniversary of the Regional Training Center-Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC) here.
The South Korea-funded center recently received a silver accreditation from the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission, the second highest accreditation given for a technical school.
He said each year, the South Korea government through Koica sends $15 million to the Philippines, making it the largest grant recipient among the 44 developing countries that the agency has been assisting.
Kim said Koica plans to increase that amount to $20 million starting this year.
“These are grant assistance and not loans,” he said.
Kim said Koica’s funds are being used in development projects such as construction of hospitals, post-harvest facilities, and educational training centers.
In Palawan, Koica helped construct an airport.
Kim said South Korea also wanted to foster much closer relationship with the Philippines – not just in terms of aid – but also by increasing bilateral ties.
He said Seoul has found that South Korean businessmen are very much interested in investing in the Philippines. He noted the presence of about 120,000 South Koreans in the country.
“Koreans have a great appreciation for Filipinos and we are very happy to discover that Filipinos feel the same,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment