The head of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on Tuesday turned over 700 newly constructed houses to the Philippine government for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which hit central Philippines over a year ago.
Fra’ Matthew Festing, Prince and Grandmaster of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, gave a symbolic key to the houses to President Benigno Aquino III during a ceremony in Malacañang.
The housing units were built in Basey town in Samar, and on Bantayan Island in Cebu—two areas which were directly hit by Yolanda in November 2013.
During the turnover ceremony, Festing trumpeted how his Order managed to extend help—particularly medicine, food, hygiene kits and tools for farmers—three days after Yolanda ravaged central Philippines.
“The relationship between your country and the Order is not one between donor and beneficiary. Indeed, we operate together as partners, sharing common objectives for those who suffer and those who are in need,” Festing said.
“We stand by our commitment to work with your people, accompanying the delivery of goods and the construction of infrastructure, with solidarity and brotherhood, embodied in our shared values,” he added.
In November 2013, Yolanda cut a swath of devastation across central Philippines, leaving 6,300 people dead and displacing over 1.4 million families.
Cooperation agreement in the works
After a meeting with Aquino, the Order of Malta head also expressed interest in entering into a cooperation agreement with the Philippines. He did not give further details.
In response to Festing, President Aquino thanked the Order of Malta for the assistance it extended to the Philippines in Yolanda’s aftermath.
“This complements our own government’s plan to build back better: to break the vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction by emphasizing long-term resilience in our reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts,” Aquino said.
Aquino also bestowed the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Grand Collar (Raja) Award to Festing.
The Philippine government likewise hosted an official luncheon on Tuesday for the Order of Malta delegation inside Malacañan Palace. —KG, GMA News
