HIS Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on behalf of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, yesterday signed the condolence book for Typhoon Haiyan victims at the Philippine Embassy.

HRH was greeted on arrival by Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Nestor Z Ochoa.

Ambassadors and high commissioners from Japan, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Oman, Germany, Malaysia, Cambodia, South Korea, Myanmar, Kuwait, Pakistan, Russia, United States, China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and India also signed the condolence book yesterday.

The signing of the condolence book for the Filipino community will be until next week, according to the Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam.

He said the national flag at the Philippine Embassy is at half mast in honour of the victims of the strongest typhoon in the world that struck Philippines’ central islands last Friday.

The Philippine Embassy said it is accepting cash and relief goods for the typhoon victims.

“Clearance from the Department of Health is required for donated medicine. It is advised to send a letter enclosing a list of donated medicine to the Secretary of Health, San Lazaro compound, Sta Cruz, Manila,” said Philippine Embassy Cultural and Information Officer Eleanor Belgica, adding that the Secretary of Health could be reached via telephone number (+632) 651 7800.

“The Philippine Embassy has received $2,315 in cash, food, clothing and shoes. Ready-to-eat foodstuff is encouraged, but not clothing. There is too much used clothing already,” Belgica said yesterday.

In Kuala Belait, the majority of the companies with Filipino workers have already organised donation drives, which they will remit directly to the persons concerned and to government organisations,” said Manuel ‘Owel’ Fababier, SPR Project Engineer, Brunei Liquefied Natural Gas Sdn Bhd. - Borneo Bulletin (16 November 2013)