Filos unite to assist victims of Typhoon Sendong

By ALICE GREGORIO-NICOLAS

Melbourne, Australia (21 December 2011)- Philippine Honorary Consul General Gigi Kalong is appealing to the Filipino-Australians especially those based in Victoria to, once again, dig deeper into their pockets as thousands of Filipinos have lost lives and properties during the recent typhoon Sendong in Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines. As of press time, the death toll rose to more than a thousand, while 1,582 were injured and 49 others remain missing.

Congen Kalong told The Philippine Times that her Consulate Office has been coordinating with most of the leaders of Filipino Associations in Melbourne and plans were quickly mapped out to best help the victims. “I have spoken to Roy Carbungco, FCCVI, Doctor Lagrito and the Western side. There are several fund raising efforts going on already. Our Labour Attache sent an appeal letter, so with Gawad Kalinga,” she added. The Consulate will also organize balikbayan boxes after the new year for donated goods. She said times and dates of release will be announced soon.

Special mass for the victims

A special mass offering for the victims will be held on 29 December 2011, 7pm at St. Brigid’s Parish at 378 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North. A special collection hopes to get additional monetary donations. The mass will be officiated by Fr. Loi Viovicente.

AVAVI’s Sto Nino Festival

Congen said the Australian Viasayan Association of Victoria In. (AVAVI) led by its President Dr. Ed Lagrito will put up a special tent/stall to accept donations for the flood victims during the Sto Nino Festival in Clayton. The Fiesta will be held on 15 January 2012 at the Namatjira Park, Springs Rd., Clayton South. Cash, clothing and goods are accepted on the day.

“At this moment, we are praying for continued strength of volunteers and workers helping out in all affected areas. There are more deaths and we really cannot comprehend the pain and sorrow of our affected kababayans. My heart truly aches for them and I can only pray and do what we can to extend whatever contributions we can raise. This will be an ongoing task at the moment for the community as a whole and the Consulate to assist and cooperate with individuals and/or associations,” said Congen Kalong.

Emergency Relief Fund

The Emergency Relief Funds for Philippines (ERFP) led by its President Roy Carbungco is releasing $3,000 to assist the typhoon victims. Melba Cabato-Waugh and daughter Hannah May Cabato, reigning Miss Philippine Fiesta 2011 Charity, will represent ERFP and the Melboure Filipino community to help in the distribution of relief goods.

Carbungco said donations from Filos here in Melbourne should be coursed through ERFP to centralise everything instead of donating to different organisations back home. The group chooses properly where the money will go to and ensures that the donation reaches the right beneficiaries.

“I am once again appealing to all associations to at least donate $200 each and also to the general public,” Carbungco told The Philippine Times. Even while ERFP is busy raising funds for the Cagayan De Oro tragedy, the group is also continuously raising money for its pledge to donate rubber boats, an initiative it shares with Gabriela and Migrante.

Carbungco said that its current fundraising efforts should dispel the rumor that ERFP favours only the Kapampangan’s disaster coordination efforts. “Because people think helping Filipinos back home is quick. It’s not. We need to get funding then find the right connection to course through our donation. We just cannot release money not knowing where this money would go. So we plan everything,” he adds.

All cash donation should be directed to: Emergency Relief Funds for Philippines, Westpac Banking Corporation (Glen Waverly Shopping Centre) BSB 033 385 Account No. 70 4383 or Cheque Payable to Emergency Relief Funds for Philippines and posted to 11 Hunter Ave. Roxburgh Park 3064.

For enquiries, please contact Carbungco on mobile 0411-145-776 or email royc@iprimus.com.au.

LBC’s free shipping

LBC, the balikbayan box company in Melbourne, has just announced that LBC is also accepting donations for the typhoon victims. For donated goods, the LBC Office in Melbourne is open from 9am to 5.30 (excluding lunchbreak 1-2pm) Monday to Friday. To schedule pick up, please contact 03-83906916 and look for Erick.

LBC representative, Delia Figueroa said that senders can use any box when donating but if they use an LBC box, they will replace it with a new LBC box. The company will waive the shipping charge when donated goods are addressed to LBC Hari ng Padala Foundation Inc.

Philippine Embassy appeals for cash donations

Alexander Go, Charge d’ Affaires of the Philippine Embassy, in his latest memorandum to the Filipino community in Australia, said that monetary donations are preferred due to the urgency of the needs of the victims. Sanitation, mass burial, food, water and shelter are the immediate needs of the victims. By having cash donations, the needs of those affected are addressed faster, he wrote in the same memo.

Cash or cheque donations may be sent to the following:

GOVERNMENT
1. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
Bank/Branch:  Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)/Camp Aguinaldo Branch
Address:  PVAO Compound, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines
Account Name:  NDRRMC Donated Funds
Account Number: 0435-021927-130
Swift Code: DBPHPMM Account No.36002016
Contact Person: Ms. Rufina Pascual, Collecting Officer, Office of Civil Defense, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines
Tel. No. +632-4211920

2. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Bank Account No. 3124-0055-81 (Landbank of the Philippines, Batasan, Quezon City Branch)
Focal Person: Ms. Fe Catalina Ea, Cash Division
Tel. No. +632-931-8010 local 226 (landline ) or +63918-6281897 (mobile)

NON-GOVERNMENT
1. Philippine National Red Cross

Bank of the Philippine Islands
Account Name: The Philippine Red Cross
Peso: 4991-0036-52
Dollar: 004994-0103-15
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

2. Sagip Kapamilya
Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. – Sagip Kapamilya
Account No. 393-011-4199 (Banco De Oro Scout Albano Branch)
Swift Code: BNO RPH MM

3. GMA Kapuso Foundation
Philippine National Bank
Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Peso Saving Account No. 121-003200017
Dollar Savings Account No. 121-003200025
Swift Code: PNB MPH MM

For information on relatives and friends in the affected areas, the public may contact the NDRRMC Operations Center at:

Telefax: NDRRMC OpcCen +632-911-1406; 912-2665; 912-5668

NDRRMC Secretariat +63-912-0441; 912-5947

Office of Civil Defense +632-912-2424

Emails: dopcen@ndcc.gov.ph or dopcenbackup@gmail.com

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