Philippine gov’t. extends assistance to 17 Vietnamese fishermen

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1941478236255/philippine-gov-t-extends-assistance-to-17-vietnamese-fishermen
• Friday, November 4, 2016

By April M. Montes (JNPD/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

SUAL, Pangasinan, November 4 (PIA) – As an exercise of goodwill, the Philippine government extended assistance to the 17 Vietnamese fishermen as they leave for their homeland to resume their lives with their families.

As a diplomatic move to galvanize reinvigorated bilateral relations with Vietnam, President Rodrigo Duterte led the send-off of the 17 Vietnamese nationals in a ceremony held on Wednesday at the causeway of the coastal town of Sual.

In a message, Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo expressed hopes that the assistance given by the Duterte government will be accepted in the spirit that they are being given and that the two countries continue to build stronger ties of unity that will benefit the people especially the poor.

Several items provided to the fishermen which they can use while on their journey home include: 3,000 liters of gasoline, three sacks of rice, nine blocks of ice, three drums of fresh water, and several kilos of vegetables.

Jackets and tokens were also given.

Social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted psychosocial processing among Vietnamese fishermen prior to the send-off.

Further, the fishermen were escorted by the Philippine Navy and the Maritime group until they have crossed the territorial waters of the Philippines.

“We hope that our 17 guests whom we are sending off today will take this to heart, even as we Filipinos take this to heart. Our message today must be one of diplomacy, unity and solidarity,” Taguiwalo said as she bid the fishermen good luck on their journey home.

Vietnamese ambassador to the Philippines Truong Trieu Duong expressed gratitude to Duterte.

“We, the Vietnamese people, especially the fishermen ... will forever be in debt for the goodwill, the kind and humanitarian gesture by you, Mr. President, and the Filipino people,” the envoy said.