(photo from Yahoo Images)
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that she had asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development assessment on the damages to 23 places in Luzon brought about by Typhoon Ondoy.
Garcia said that when the result of assessment will be given to the Capitol, they will immediately release their cash assistance taken from the province’s calamity funds. She said that the province will directly give the financial help to the LGU executives so they will be able to use the amount where it is needed the most.
Garcia said that their financial assistance will be bigger than 10 million pesos released during the typhoon Frank because of the extent of the damage in Luzon. But Garcia assures that they will also consider putting aside an amount for Cebu, in case a calamity will hit the province. Calamity fund is 5 percent of the total annual budget of the province.
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Samuel Chioson had circulated a memorandum requesting their members to give cash donations or in-kind to the victims of Ondoy.
“Chamber is appealing to its members for any assistance that may be extended to the poor victims of Typhoon Ondoy in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Material donations such as food items, clothing, medicines, water and other items that would answer for the basic needs of the affected populace will be appreciated. Cash donations shall, likewise, be accepted and accordingly receipted,” the memorandum circular stated.
CCCI had made its office in Cor. Commerce and Industry Streets, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City as drop-off points for donations. They also made their office number 232-1421 to 24 as their hotline numbers for donations to be picked up.
“Check/Cash donations should be made payable to Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry. All in-kind donations shall be covered by Acknowledgement Receipts while monetary donations shall be issued a corresponding Official Receipt,” Chionson said.
The Visayan Electric Company is also accepting donations at their offices in SM City Cebu, Talisay City, Talamban, Consolacion, and Lilo-an. They accept non-perishable donations like canned goods, clothes, powdered milk, and uncooked rice.
Aboitiz Group of Companies is also accepting donations and had made all their 2GO outlets in Cebu as drop-off points. 2GO outlets in Dumaguete City, Bacolod City, Cagayan De Oro City, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran City, and Zamboanga. All the donations will be turn over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Gothong Shipping also lent their 20 ft. van to Y101. The radio station has put up a donation area at the parking lot of Gaisano Country Mall. They will accept donations from 7am to 7pm daily. The donations will be shipped for free by 2GO of Aboitiz Transport System.
ABS-CBN Cebu had also made their station in Jagobiao, Mandaue City a drop off point for donations. Nursing students from the University of San Carlos and Tujong Medical School, and members of Guardians volunteered to pack the relief goods.
DSWD starts accepting donations also. Donations can be dropped off in their regional office in MJ Cuenco Avenue. They also have hotlines for those who want their donations to be picked up; 232-9507 and 232-1192.
Grace Yana, specialist for DSWD Emergency Assistance said that they are already preparing their personnel for stress debriefing. She said that aside from donations that they will be organizing, it is expected that their office in Manila will need an extra hand to take care of the victims.
Yana said that their head office relayed that the victims need food, water, blankets, and clothes. Yana asked those who will donate used clothing to choose clothes which are still wearable so the victims can immediately use them.
Department of Health Operations Office is also alert for possible personnel augmentation. Dr. Expedito Medalla said that they can give logistics support to the victims. They are still waiting though for their head office to demand from them. He said that if medicines will be needed, they can allocate medical supplies.
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