The Japanese minister for economic affairs, Masahiro Nakata, visited Bohol to attend the turnover of sacks of rice donated by the Japanese government.
According to National Food Authority (NFA) Bohol manager Maria Fe Evasco, the Japanese government,
through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF-JAPAN) has donated 300 metric tons or equivalent to
9,981 bags of milled rice to the Philippines.
The donation was done under the Tier 3 Program of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR).
The rice donation is intended to be distributed to the families affected by typhoon Odette, which includes Bohol.
A ceremonial turnover and launching of rice distribution of 3,333 bags for Bohol was held on May 17, 2022 at Balilihan town gymnasium attended by key national government officials and officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Japanese embassy.
Back in Feb. 2022, the Japanese government released 300 MT of rice under the APTERR.
The APTERR is a regional cooperation started in 2012, which aims to strengthen food security and poverty alleviation.
Moreover, the cooperation also seeks member countries of the ASEAN and Japan to ensure rice stocks in times of disasters.