On behalf of the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community in New Zealand, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez conveyed deep appreciation to H.E. Noppadon Theppitak, Ambassador of Thailand to New Zealand and the officers and members of Thai Society Charitable Trust and all those who attended the Gala Dinner to celebrate the 86th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 15 December 2013 in Auckland for the sympathy, support and solidarity extended to the Filipino people in the aftermath of the super typhoon Haiyan which hit Central Philippines on 8 November 2013. On this significant occasion, Ambassador Theppitak witnessed the handing over of a cheque amounting to $3,000 by Mr. Songvut Manoonpong, President of the Thai Society Charitable Trust of New Zealand to Philippine Honorary Consul General to Auckland Atty. Paulo Garcia.

In conveying the gratitude of the Filipino people, Ambassador Benavidez said that “the generosity of the Thai people will go a long way in helping us in the long-term and mammoth task of reconstruction, rehabilitation and rebuilding of homes, schools, infrastructure and livelihood for stronger and more resilient communities in the Visayas. We are deeply moved by the kindness from our friends from Thailand and this will certainly help uplift the spirits and will of the Filipino people to recover from the massive devastation brought by the strongest typhoon recorded in history.”

Consul General Paulo Garcia has forwarded the cheque to the Philippine Embassy which has acknowledged and issued the corresponding receipt for the donation.