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What do Ondoy victims need?
Canned goods, rice, bottled water, dry clothes, blankets and toiletries are some of the useful items being gathered by citizens' groups and local governments in Cebu mounting relief operations for flooding victims in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
The massive outpouring of assistance was visible yesterday in the sprouting of drop off centers for public donations.
The Cebu City government set up a site in Fuente Osmeña, but civic groups and private corporations also opened their doors to accept offerings in cash and kind as part of the bayanihan spirit.
All Rotary Clubs in Cebu will accept donations at their drop-off centers in all Julie's bakeshop outlets and Andorra Tiles besides Jollibee in barangay Lahug. Rotarians will also start accepting donations at the Casino Español starting 6:30 p.m today.
All donations will be issued receipts, say organizers.
“We have so many things to do for our brothers and sisters,” said Rotary Ann Club president Me-Ann Alcordo-Solomon, who saw the plight of victims after being stranded in Manila last Saturday.
Gov. Gwen Garcia said the provincial government will give financial aid bigger than the P10 million released during typhoon Frank and damaged Luzon, but will release it after an assessment of needs is made by the Department of Social Welfare of the 23 affected places in Luzon.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) is accepting donations at their regional office also along MJ Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City. Shipping companies like the Aboitiz Transport System and Negros Navigation offered their services and container vans to transport the goods to Manila for free.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem organized a fund raising drive at the nearby Gaisano Countrymall parking lots. “Those living in the Banilad-Talamban north areas don't have to go to the downtown area anymore,” said Jakosalem.
City residents in the north can also drop off donations at the Banilad Town Center in the Formo Restaurant and Lounge. The goods will be coursed through the container van that private citizen Joseph Castillo has prepared and will leave for Manila by Oct. 1.
The Cebu Archdiocese will call on its more than 140 parishes to accept cash donations from its faithful in the province.
Msgr. Roberto Alesna, Archdiocesan Commission on Service chairman, said cash is preferred since it would help avoid shipping costs for goods.
Alesna said Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will meet with the episcopal vicars to discuss ways to help the victims.
“The funds will be coursed through directly to the bishops of the dioceses affected by the typhoon. All the parishes would be asked to join (the activity),” Alesna said.
Business sectors in Cebu are joining on the relief efforts for the flood victims in Metro Manila.
At least three business groups, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Cebu Business Club are urging their members to donate food, clothes and even cash for the flood victims.
CCCI President Samuel Chioson urged the chamber's estimated 800 members to sympathize with victims of Saturday's devastating rains in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon.
“Our office will accept all the donations and will ship everything to Manila,” Chioson said.
MCCI president Eric Ng Mendoza said businessmen in Mandaue City will also extend assistance to the victims. This was the top agenda of their execom meeting yesterday.
Robert Go, former regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), was himself a victim of the Manila floods.
“I'm also a flood victim. My two cars and home-office in Manila are underwater and complete wreck. My purchasers were rescued on the roof top through an airconditioner hole and used plywood as a boat to reach higher condo units,” Go said in a text message.
SM City Cebu launched Operation Tulong Express at the ground level of the mall to serve as drop-off center to accept clothes, blankets, kitchen utensils, medicines and other items.
Sebastian Lacson said the Aboitiz Group of Companies will also accept donations and use all 2GO outlets in the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Zamboanga, Puerto Princesa, General Santos, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete and Cagayan as drop off points. They will accept non-perishable items but not cash or noodles.
“Those living or working near the airport may deposit their relief goods there,” said Ahmed Cuizon, public affairs department head of the Mactan- Cebu International Airport. His office and the domestic pre-departure information counter are the designated sites.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 is also accepting donations of food, clothes, footwear, blankets, mineral water, personal items such as sanitary napkins, toothbrush, soaps and even cash.
Jaybee Carillo, DSWD 7 information officer said donations in Cebu will be accepted in their regional office as well as in the provincial offices in Siquijor, Negros Oriental and Bohol.
Carillo said they are urging other government entities and even public and private schools to also help in the relief efforts.
