Last 27 July 2022, the northern part of Luzon was jolted by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which adversely affected and damaged key cities and municipalities, including the cultural and historical structures in Vigan City. On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Representative Peiyung Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO) donated USD$ 100,000 to Vigan City at a handover ceremony on 21 November 2022, to assist the city repair, reconstruct, rehabilitate and restore damaged structures. Mayor Hon. Jose “Bonito” C. Singson Jr., together with city councilors and officials, accepted the donation on behalf of Vigan City at the City Hall.
As the closest neighbor of the Philippines, the people of Taiwan really sympathize with the victims worst affected by the earthquake. Representative Hsu expressed Taiwan’s sincere compassion and sympathies to the victims and their families hit by the calamity, and indicated that the project involves public safety, heritage conservation, and revitalization of the city’s economy at the initial phase of recovering from the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. He sincerely hoped that the damaged cultural and historical structures could be restored as soon as possible. Mayor Singson Jr. extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for their generosity and camaraderie on behalf of the Philippines.
Vigan is a city that preserves the most Hispanic culture and heritage in the Philippines. The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the DPWH, the National Commission for Culture and Arts and the Regional Post Damage and Needs Assessment (PDNA) Group estimated the cost of damage exceeds 250 million pesos (approximately USD$4.41 million).
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines
21 November 2022
Representative Peiyung Hsu of TECO (3rd from right), on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), donated US$ 100,000 to help Vigan City repair damaged cultural and historical structures damaged by the earthquake in Northern Luzon. Mayor Hon. Jose " Bonito" C. Singson Jr. (4th from right) accepted the donation. Governor Jeremias Singson (2nd from right) of the Heritage Province of Ilocos Sur was present to witness the donation.
