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Filipinos urged to avail of relief assistance
UFO gives rice, water to those in need
Filipinos on Saipan affected by Typhoon Soudelor are urged to seek for relief that is being made available to the community.
“To our kababayans, try to avail of the relief being provided by FEMA and other agencies,” Honorary Consul to the Philippines Glicerio “Eli” Arago said.
“I encourage them to apply for whatever relief is available from the agencies that are providing assistance,” he added.
Arago said that everyone is welcome to apply and that “there’s nothing wrong for them to try.”
“FEMA will screen everything and then they will ask information. Even if they get denied, if you have communication with them they might reconsider,” Arago said.
Arago said his office is open to help those who need assistance in their applications, particularly in explaining how the process goes. He also encouraged Filipino organizations to do the same.
“Those who have access to the Internet can help those who don’t have access,” he said.
Consular outreach postponed
Arago added that the mobile outreach of the Guam Consulate General that was supposed to start yesterday on Saipan may probably push through next month. The Tinian leg of the outreach was also deferred.
“We don’t know the exact date,” Arago said.
According to him, it depends on the recovery of the island. He said it’s hard to hold the outreach now as there is limited space and no power supply and some Filipinos also got displaced.
Rice and water donations
Last Sunday, Arago, together with the United Filipino Organizations, gave out rice and water to Filipino families who are in need.
Arago said he as well as UFO and Bayani Association donated $500 each while the Philippine Consulate in Guam gave $2,000 for the relief effort.
UFO president Bong Malasarte said they were able to give 466 1-lb bags of rice to Filipino households on the island.
With the help of Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), they were also able to give out one-gallon water to each household.
“We went around Saipan and sought those who really need help,” Malasarte said.
He said that even though their organization is not really for giving relief, they tried their best to help out, not just to Filipinos but also other families that needed help.
