Hundreds of Taiwanese expatriates and Filipino locals gathered in Caloocan City for the "Taiwan Can Help" Charity Walk led by the Taiwanese Association of the Philippines. The walk was a call for global support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization and the upcoming 78th World Health Assembly, which Taiwan has been excluded from for nine consecutive years.

The crowd carried banners with messages like “Taiwan Can Help” and “Leaving No One Behind” as they walked in solidarity. Organizers and supporters hoped to draw attention to Taiwan’s contributions to international health and humanitarian efforts despite being barred from global health forums.

Tomas Pai, President of the Taiwanese Association of the Philippines, said the walk represents their continued push for recognition. “This marks the second year of our Taiwan Can Help campaign. Taiwan stands ready to assist the global community and deserves to be included under the principle of leaving no one behind,” he said.

Taiwan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, emphasized Taiwan’s role in global public health. “Taiwan is a responsible stakeholder in global health. The WHO’s exclusion of Taiwan undermines the integrity of the global health architecture and hampers the world’s ability to respond to health crises. We urge all countries, including the Philippines, to support Taiwan’s participation in WHO meetings, mechanisms, and the WHA as an observer,” he said.

Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Chairperson of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office and the Philippine Representative to Taiwan, expressed her support for Taiwan’s participation. “The world needs partners like Taiwan—innovative, capable, and committed. If Taiwan is allowed to participate in the WHA, it can offer even more to the international community, including the Philippines,” she said.

After the walk, a charity outreach program was held at the Morning Breeze Covered Court. The Taiwanese community and MECO officials distributed 1,000 bags of rice and daily essentials to local residents. Ambassador Chow and his wife joined MECO Director Wilson Tecson in personally handing out the donations. Barangay leaders Teodoro Mora Jr. of Barangay 140 and Mario Zamora of Barangay 83 were also present and received certificates of appreciation for their cooperation.

Support also came from various Taiwanese business and community leaders, including Andrew Liang, former president of the Taiwanese Association of the Philippines, and Charlene Hsieh, marketing manager of the Ersao restaurant group.

Several officials from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office joined the event, including Ministers Michael Lee and Dustin Yang, Political Division Director Emilie Shao, Culture Center Director Eric Chuang and Deputy Director Benjamin Liang. Also present were Council Member Ya-Hui Huang of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, former association president K.C. Wu, Chief Supervisor Terence Wu, and Taiwan Manufacturers Association of the Northern Philippines President Chuang Ping-Yang.

Through this activity, the Filipino-Taiwanese community sent a strong message. They believe Taiwan has a rightful place in global health conversations and that their voice deserves to be heard.