Filipino-Americans step up donations to flood victims

INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Members of the Filipino-American community in the United States have stepped up relief assistance for families displaced by Tropical Storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Handang Tumulong Foundation Inc. (HTFI), one the community organizations in the US Northeast which has been actively involved in raising awareness about the calamity and in mobilizing relief efforts, donated a check for US$6,000.

“The Filipino-American community once again manifested their concern for the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong by mobilizing people and resources to aid victims in affected areas, particularly the hardest hit cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro,” the DFA said in a statement.

The HTFI, which aims to provide immediate monetary assistance to communities affected by natural calamities, was founded in 2009 in the wake of the devastation brought about by Typhoon Ondoy.

To date, it has sent aid to victims of typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters in the Philippines and other countries like Japan.

The HTFI has vowed to continue sending monetary aid as more donations come in from concerned members of the Filipino-American community, according to the DFA.

Other Filipino-American groups have likewise mobilized their members and friends in the international community for various charitable activities, including a dance benefit in New Jersey organized by concerned Filipino groups; and a marathon concert entitled “Banding2gether for Sendong” featuring Filipino-American performing artists in January 2012, among others.