Hanjin helps Botolan folks

Biggest shipbuilding company in RP donates P.5-Million construction materials to victims of Kiko

Iba, Zambales -- Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd.-Philippines, Inc. (HHIC-Phil Inc.),one of the world's biggest shipbuilding company, donated more than half a million peso worth of building & construction materials to be utilized in Botolan town as part of the rehabilitation efforts by the provincial government to help the victims of Typhoon Kiko.

The materials include seven large truckloads of cement, corrugated G.I. sheets and concrete hollow blocks.

Ten barangays of Botolan were swept by flash floods last month as torrential rains brought about by the onslaught of Kiko destroyed a dike along the Bucao river. Some two thousand families were rendered homeless because of the disaster and are now housed in six evacuation centers in the town.

In a ceremonial turnover held at the Provincial Capitol, Mr. Taek Kyun Yoo, General Manager for External Trade Part of HHIC-Phil Inc., said that apart from canned and dry goods they have initially donated "we also see the urgent need for the repair of houses destroyed by the typhoon."

"We are hoping that these building and construction materials will help the people of Botolan who were devastated because of Kiko," Yoo added.

Governor Amor Deloso warmly received the Hanjin officials and thanked them for extending their hand to help the communities outside the shipbuilding company in Subic.

The Governor clarified though that the construction materials will be used for the planned relocation areas in Barangay Babon San Juan, Botolan as the areas where the residents came from are now declared unsafe for habitation.

"As I enjoin all concerned agencies to be one with me in this difficult but surmountable situation, I am thankful for our friends in the private and business sector, including the Hanjin Shipbuilding Company for lending us a helping hand in times of need."

"These materials will go a long way in the construction of a safe haven for the residents of Botolan who were affected by the disaster," Gov. Deloso said.

"Lahat ng resources ng iba't ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan ay hinihingi o hinihiram natin upang matulungan ang mga nasalanta ng kalamidad."

"It is only through teamwork that we will be able to get past this disaster, let us set aside politics and get the job done," the Governor added.

As part of a continuing commitment to help the communities around the shipbuilding company, HHIC-Phil Inc. also donated around a million peso worth of construction materials and relief goods to the victims of Typhoon Cosme last year.

HHIC-Phil Inc. is providing employment to more that 18,000 workers primarily coming from Zambales and nearby provinces, and enjoys continued growth despite the global financial crisis. (by Allen M. Villa / PIA-Zambales)