MANILA, Philippines — As it winded down its fund-raising for relief operations to benefit Taal evacuees, Operation Damayan, the social arm of the Philstar Media Group, continued to receive more donations from benefactors seeking to extend assistance.
In addition to a P1-million check from Metrobank Foundation handed over to STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte yesterday, Damayan also received the following donations: P500,000 from Juanito Que of First Asia.
Realty Development; P10,000, Anonymous; P5,000 from Atty. Ramon L. Carpio; P5,000, Anonymous; P2,900 from the Classifinder; P1,000 each from Rose Gonzalo and Emma Doroteo.
The fund drive thus reached P4.3 million in cash as of yesterday, along with donations in kind.
“With the overwhelming response of our generous donors, we’re already planning to carry out relief operations in a second location so we can serve at least 2,000 more families,” Belmonte said.
Operation Damayan will conduct the first round of its humanitarian assistance in Batangas on Tuesday for 4,000 to 5,000 beneficiary-families.
The number of individuals seeking shelter in evacuation centers had breached 40,000 yesterday, their fates remaining uncertain as Taal Volcano continued to flare up.
Donations may be deposited to Philstar Daily Inc./Operation Damayan Metrobank Savings Account No. 151-7-15152422-9, and deposit slips emailed to damayan@philstarmedia.com. Interested donors may also contact 8527-7902 to 15 local 194.