BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—School children in depressed communities in western Visayas have long been beneficiaries of Japanese aid.
These past few weeks, however, the children, their parents and teachers have been dropping hard-earned coins into tins cans and writing letters of sympathy to send to Japan, which was recently hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
“Dear Japanese friends,” wrote some pupils from Ma-ao Sugar Central Elementary School in Bago.
“Here is a small amount with our prayers that it could lessen the burden that you are facing at the moment, we will keep praying for all of you.”
The Grade 1 to 6 pupils of Bago City Elementary School, who were beneficiaries of musical instruments from Japan, also sent a letter to the Japanese government, saying:
“In the past years you helped us in our times of need, now it is our time to help you back.”
The western Visayas school district sent P252,866.25 to Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon to forward to the Japanese earthquake victims.
The governor handed the donation to Shigemi Watanabe, director of the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (Oisca) training center in Bago City, Negros Occidental, which creates livelihood opportunities for the poor in the province.
“There are more boxes and tin cans with coins that we still have to count and turn over,” said Dr. Mildred Garay, DepEd director for western Visayas.
Watanabe said he was deeply touched by the donations given by the western Visayas pupils.
“Many children in Japan have become orphans, while others have lost their brothers, sisters, classmates and friends in the tragedy,” Watanabe said.
So far, Marañon has turned over more than P900,000 in donations from local governments and private groups in Negros Occidental for the victims of the tragedy in Japan.
Marañon is president of Oisca-Philippines, a Japanese outreach organization that helps create livelihood for the poor. The Aid to Japan was sent through Oisca to be distributed there by Oisca Japan.
Davao City, another beneficiary of Japanese aid, is also passing the hat around.
Gus Miclat, executive director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), on Saturday announced the launch of the group’s relief campaign for Japan.
Myaxe Musical Instruments Co.—which produces hand-crafted guitars —also announced it would donate 30 percent from the sale of each guitar to the Japan relief effort. The guitar-making firm is based in Beijing but is majority owned by Davaoeños.
“Even a mighty Japan needs our help…the magnitude of the disaster is staggering and relief needs will continue to grow,” Miclat said. With Jeffrey M. Tupas, Inquirer Mindanao