Donations from groups to RAFI reach P116M

CEBU, Philippines - A total of P116.6 million of aid for Yolanda-hit areas was received by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) from local and international donors for 2013.

This is for relief programs of RAFI intended for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in Visayas.

About 88,769 families in Northern Cebu, Leyte and Samar benefited from the humanitarian efforts of RAFI which included the distribution of 4,961 shelter kits.

Prior to helping typhoon survivors, the organization lent a helping hand to victims of another major disaster that affected Visayas—the powerful earthquake that jolted Bohol and Cebu last October 15.

RAFI received cash donations amounting to around P800,000 and goods worth P385,000 for its relief efforts in Bohol, which served 8,876 families in 136 barangays of the province.

Further, as a gesture of solidarity to those hit by the recent calamities, RAFI did not celebrate its 47th Founding Anniversary and its Christmas party, opting to use the budget for both occasions in its relief campaign.

“I am proud of the commitment to the RAFI brand demonstrated by the team. RAFI manifested our ability to rise and meet tough challenges and do what it takes to serve the communities to elevate the lives of the people. As a result, our partners and the communities know that they can count on us,” said RAFI President Roberto “Bobby” Aboitiz.

Meanwhile, an estimated 600 underprivileged “nanays” (mothers) from all over Cebu benefited from a partnership forged between the Department of Social Welfare and Development Services (DSWD)-7 and RAFI, in providing assistance to poor families under the sustainable livelihood program for DSWD disadvantaged clients.

As agreed, the selected beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the government became members of the RAFI Micro-finance program to give them an opportunity to have a business.

They were made to undergo workshops, seminars, and other forms of interventions so they would be well-equipped when striking out on their own. RAFI’s assistance came in the form of affordable loans with very low interest as starting capital.

The intent of the agreement is to help the families of the “nanays” contribute later on to the growth of the local economy as small entrepreneurs.

According to the National Statistical Board Coordination (NSBC), the number of Filipinos living below the poverty line has remained the same in the past six years.

The same NSBC data showed that a family of five earning P5,458 is considered to be living in “extreme poverty,” because it needs P7,821 to meet the most basic need for food, clothing and housing necessities every month.

The increasing population, underemployment, and soaring prices of a number of commodities are cited as the main causes of poverty.

“As such, giving livelihood programs will make a big dent in addressing the poverty problem,” said Ermina Abasolo, RAFI Micro-finance deputy director for operations, during RAFI’s weekly radio program “Pagtuki,” aired every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., over radio dyLA 909 AM.  (FREEMAN)