The Chinese Embassy donated an ambulance worth P1.7 million to the city government of Bacolod on Monday, December 6, in recognition of Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s development efforts despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amity Club Corporate Secretary Crispin Chua, who described the donation as a “gift from the heavens,” said that this is the first time the Chinese Embassy made a donation to Bacolod.

“They (Chinese) saw how the city of Bacolod has progressed under Mayor Leonardia,” Chua added.

Leonardia, for his part, lauded the cooperation between the business sector and the local government unit (LGU) as a “potent force” that will continue to pave the way for Bacolod to reach new heights in the future.

“We have a government that is business-friendly and we also have a business sector that is friendly to government. If these two come together, we become a potent force (to spur progress),” the mayor said during the turnover of the ambulance to Amity Club Chairman Johnny Yap, board of directors, and volunteers.

Bacolod and Davao are the only cities in the Philippines that received donations from the Chinese Embassy.

For 44 long years, the Amity has been making its presence felt in Bacolod by helping out communities.

“It is not just gratifying but also flattering. I salute the Amity because it was given the privilege by the Chinese Embassy. I am very happy with that and I am grateful that this happened because this will benefit the people of Bacolod,” the mayor added./WDJ