Campaign drive for RP typhoon victims begins today

A Filipino group will formally launch today its one-month donation campaign for the victims of supertyphoon Durian in the Bicol region in the Philippines.

Bicol Association of NMI officer and KWAW “DJ” Jimmy Blancia said interested individuals could bring their donations—in-kind and monetary donations—to the designated venue, CoolAire shop, which is located near H-Mart or almost across XO supermarket on Middle Road.

“We’ll have banners out so people can see where we are. We would like to encourage everyone to donate. We welcome canned goods donations. People can also give monetary donations,” said Blancia in an interview yesterday.

He said businesses like Coca Cola and Pacific Trading Co., which sells Pepsi products, have helped with campaign banners.

CTSI Logistics, he said, has also agreed to ship a 20-footer container of relief goods to the Philippines.

“We’re so grateful to the many kindhearted business people and individuals who support our donation drive,” said Blancia.

He said some Filipino groups have also pledged cash donations.

He said the Filipino Association of Architects and Engineers through member Jun Dela Cruz has pledged $800 for the Bicol victims.

Bayani Association, which is holding Christmas caroling to raise funds, has also pledged to give, he said.

Canned goods most welcome

The Bicol group said that people can donate canned goods of all kinds or dry and ready-to-eat food items because these have long shelf lives.

The donation drive will last a month.

He said CTSI is scheduled to ship the container to the Philippines by the end of January 2008.

Recent reports from the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council said that the most needed items in the typhoon-stricken areas in Bicol are medicines, temporary shelters like tents, food, water containers and water purifiers.

Law discourages clothing donations?

Blancia said that based on the press statement by the Philippine Consulate General, a Philippine law, Republic Act 5653, discourages clothing donations.

“We don’t know why it’s discouraged. There’s no explanation. Several people want to donate clothes,” said Blancia.

United Filipino Organization co-chair Ed Reyes said he also wonders about the rationale behind the law.

“I know that many people would like to donate clothes. But it’s not encouraged. But I’m sure that the law has a good reason why it made that provision,” he said.

He said there may have instances in the past where donated clothes from overseas ended up in “ukay-ukay” or bargain stores rather than disaster victims.

He said that when he assisted in the Mt. Pinatubo relief operations, people had to deal also with expired or spoiled canned goods.

“It’s not an easy job. So maybe the law wants to make things simpler by encouraging people to just give cash, say a $1 donation campaign. Then let the government or non-profit groups in the affected areas buy the needed items,” he said.

Reyes said UFO supports the Bicol Association donation drive.

“We’re behind them,” he said.

NDCC assistance

Blancia said the 20-foot container will be received by NDCC in Manila.

He said he spoke with NDCC deputy Anthony Golez over KWAW 100.3 on Saipan this week about the shipment.

“We were given an assurance that they will receive it. It’s the government that’s in-charge of the customs matters and delivery to the affected areas,” said Blancia.

There is an estimated 1.4 million people who were affected by supertyphoon Durian or Reming in Bicol over two weeks ago.