The Japanese government on Monday, October 31, expressed its readiness to help the storm-battered Philippines recover from the devastation brought about by tropical storm Nalgae (local name: Paeng), which battered all of the country’s three major islands, submerged entire villages, and left more than 100 people dead.
In a message of “heartfelt sympathy to the government of the Philippines and its people”, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi affirmed:
“The Government of Japan stands with the government of the Philippines and its people, and is ready to provide the maximum possible assistance to the Philippines.
My deepest condolences are with the victims and the bereaved, and I sincerely pray for the speedy recovery of the affected people as well as the prompt restoration of the affected areas.”
Japan has been known to quickly respond during natural emergencies in the Philippines, including the worst super typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) in 2013.
The death toll has reached 101, not counting the 66 who are still missing. More than half of the casualties died buried in landslides in the southern province of Maguindanao, prompting no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to ask if local governments had not prepared enough for the expected onslaught of the tropical storm.
The agriculture ministry estimated that at least ₱1.3 billion PHP ($23 million USD) worth of agricultural products were wiped out from 64,607 hectares of land. The livelihood of almost 54,000 farmers and fishers are affected.