Abu dhabi: Philippine Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian has thanked the United Arab Emirates for its emergency humanitarian assistance to people affected by the earthquake in the Mindanao region. In a message to Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), Gatchalian expressed the appreciation of the Philippine government and people for the UAE’s swift response to the disaster.

According to Emirates News Agency, Gatchalian remarked that the assistance came at a critical time and helped ease the suffering of affected families. He noted that the aid extended beyond the provision of food and drinking water to reflect the UAE’s values of solidarity and compassion while restoring hope to those impacted by the disaster.

Gatchalian emphasized that the humanitarian support also reflected the strength of bilateral relations and the two countries’ shared commitment to humanitarian values. He also reaffirmed the Philippine Senate’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary cooperation with the Federal National Council through parliamentary friendship groups and joint parliamentary organizations, building on more than five decades of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.