Tagbilaran City is offering to help in the rescue and relief operations in Japan 's tsunami-stricken areas. Mayor Dan Lim formally extended the city's offer in a letter sent to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura last March 15. “First of all, allow me to express the sympathy of the people of Tagbilaran City to the tragedy that befell your country in the aftermath of the strongest earthquake and the tsunami that followed last March 11, 2011,” the mayor said. Lim described it as “a calamity of unspeakable grief that is felt all over the world but most of all by your people”. The mayor told Katsura that as the people of Tagbilaran joins Japan in its hour of sadness, he would also venture to express the former's desire to help in the continuing rescue mission being undertaken in the affected areas.

“While we have so much respect in Japan 's ability to take care of its own people and to deal with this emergency, we also would like to concretely manifest our solidarity with you in this time of sorrow,” Lim said.  The mayor said that he would “appreciate it very much” if the Japanese people could allow this small gesture by identifying specific areas in which Tagbilaran can be of help. “Again, this is not so much what we can do but the spirit that comes with the gesture,” he added. The mayor assured Katsura that Tagbilaranons will continue to pray for him and his people in “this difficult juncture of your nation's history”. He added that Tagbilaran joined the Japanese people in their hopes to overcome this tragedy with an even greater resolve and that they will be rewarded with success in their efforts.

Yesterday, Lim explained that the formal letter is required not only because it is the proper procedure but also out of respect for Japan. “You should consider that the Japanese people are very dignified and through the years have risen from their trials by themselves,” he pointed out. The mayor said that it might also sound awkward that a small city would venture to help a world superpower. “It is not so much what we can offer them but the expression of solidarity with them in their hour of grief,” he added. Lim said that mere presence goes a long way to help a victim and it goes even farther when there is a concrete expression of support. “Just because we are small does not mean we should no longer be concerned with the giants. That is the argument of the selfish,” he added. The mayor said tragedy does not choose between the big and the small “so knowing that there is someone in your hour of sorrow helps a lot.” Lim admitted that he earlier considered to give cash to the victims but disregarded this because presence and the help that goes with it is more meaningful. The mayor said he is also happy to know that his good friend, Japanese philantrophist Toru Maeda was spared from the calamity. “I am happy to know that he is safe and that there was no report of damage to his establishments,” he added.