Philippine Honorary Consul General of Victoria Gigi Kalong Congen Kalong has encouraged the Filipino-Australian community to help flood victims affected by last weekend’s devastating tropical storm in the Philippines. “I am appealing to all Filipino-Australians and organizations to assist us to raise funds to send to the victims of this recent crisis as ONE COMMUNITY,” she said in a statement released today, 9 August 2012.
Roy Carbungco, President of the Emergency Relief Funds for Philippines (ERFP), told The Philippine Times that his group is supporting the call of Congen to act as one. He said ERFP officers will meet this week to discuss plans on how to consolidate efforts to have only one, centralised donation coming from Filipino-Australians. At the moment, monetary donations are preferred. For goods such as food, clothing and other necessities they will announce to the community on how to send them.
Fr. Loi Viovicente of the Filipino Pastoral Council of Melbourne is also supporting the same cause and enjoins his parishioners to assist. He will also meet with Congen Kalong to discuss the flood appeal.
The appeal is not only extended to Filipino-Australians but the entire Victorians. For enquiries on how to donate, please contact Fr. Loi Viovicente, mobile 0450 699 363 or Carbungco, mobile 0411 145 776.
The monsoon rains left at least 23 dead and caused several areas in Metro Manila and Luzon flooded as of today. Thousands of residents, old and young alike, have to be evacuated to safety grounds. Millions worth of properties and infrastructures were damaged.
For Congen’s complete appeal, please read the statement.
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