Minato City Extends Support To Typhoon Victims in the Philippines
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (center) received Minato City Mayor Ai Seike (right) and Minato City Assembly Vice-Chairman Jun Shichinohe (left) on 23 December 2024 at the Philippine Embassy. The two Minato City officials announced the city’s donation amounting to JPY 1.6 million for the recovery and rebuilding efforts of communities affected by six typhoons that struck the Philippines between October and November 2024.
TOKYO, 26 December 2024 – In a symbolic turnover ceremony on 23 December 2024 at the Philippine Embassy, Minato City Mayor Ai Seike and Minato City Assembly Vice-Chairman Jun Shichinohe announced Minato City’s donation of 1.6 million Japanese yen to support the victims of the recent typhoons that affected the Philippines.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano received the two officials, who conveyed their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the individuals and communities impacted by the six successive typhoons that struck the Philippines between October and November 2024.
The Ambassador expressed gratitude for Minato City’s steadfast support and assistance to the Embassy and the Filipino people. She noted that while the number of casualties from the recent typhoons was fortunately lower compared to previous major storms, the destructive effects remained significant, particularly in the Bicol Region and parts of Central Visayas (Region 7). The Ambassador assured that the donation would be allocated to aid victims and support reconstruction efforts in these areas.
“The solidarity and compassion shown by the residents of Minato City are a source of hope and strength for those affected by these natural calamities. We are deeply grateful for Minato’s generous contribution to their recovery and rebuilding efforts,” said Ambassador Garcia-Albano.
In a span of one month, typhoons Kristine (international name Trami), Leon (Kong-Rey) Marce (Yinxing), Nika (Toraji), Ofel (Usagi), and Pepito (Man-yi), ravaged different parts of northern and central Philippines, leaving more than 150 people dead, and around 600,000 displaced. While the Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, such a concentration of destructive storms within a short period is a rare occurrence.
One of Tokyo’s 23 component cities, Minato hosts numerous diplomatic missions, including the Philippine Embassy. The Embassy and Minato City enjoy a warm and active partnership, especially in enhancing intercultural exchange and understanding. Through the Office of the Mayor and the City Assembly, the people of Minato City extended assistance to the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana, 2009), Typhoon Lando (Koppu, 2015), Typhoon Vinta (Tembin, 2017), and Typhoon Odette (Rai, 2022).
