Makati City, May 18 –. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), through Secretary Yasmin Busran Lao and other high officials formally received its 25 metric tons of pitted dates from the 50 metric tons donated by the Saudi government at the Saudi Embassy Chancery, H.V. Dela Costa corner Sanchez Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

The 50 metric tons of dates are in addition to the 30 metric tons which were turned over a week before to the World Food Programme (WFP). The 30 metric tons of dates will be given to 60,000 students of WFP School Meals project in Mindanao.

(Source: http://opinion.inquirer.net/104275/80-metric-tons- and http://globalnation.inquirer.net/157020/50-tons-dates-given-ph)

The turnover ceremony was done in the presence of the Saudi Ministry of Finance, Philippine Red Cross and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Dates are not cheap and not easily available in the Philippines, the reason why this is highly valued by Muslim Filipinos. These dates are favourite repast during the month of Ramadhan.