Donations for Paeng victims: Over P75 million in cash, kind

MANILA, Philippines — Donations poured in for victims of Tropical Storm Paeng, reaching over P75 million worth in just three days of the ongoing relief drive initiated by the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez said yesterday.

Cash donations, including pledges, have reached P49.2 million while the in kind or non-cash donations hit P26 million worth.

“We thank everyone who responded and helped in our relief drive. We need all the help that we can get. We already reached many affected families nationwide and we vow to bring the remaining aid to the affected families as soon as possible,” said Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st District.

Data showed that as of Nov. 1, the partial total value of in-kind donations such as food items, blankets and toiletries reached P26,316,409.

The fund drive is being led by Romualdez; Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, House committee on accounts chair; Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, committee on appropriations chairman and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, among many others.

Last Monday, 1,500 packs of relief goods, 80 bundles of bottled water and 20 sacks of rice were sent by the House to Cagayan to be distributed by Rep. Joseph Lara of the province’s 3rd District.

The following day, another batch of relief goods, including multivitamins and Vitamin C, were transported by volunteer House employees to Paeng-affected areas in Camarines Norte, Tacloban City and Cavite.

Yesterday, another mission team was deployed to bring relief goods to other areas nationwide that were hit by Paeng.

In a related development, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that as of yesterday, it has received 17.53 tons of relief supplies for equal distribution to storm-ravaged areas nationwide.?

In a Viber message, the PCG said that its personnel are now working double-time to load the supplies onto BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), together with the family packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

This batch of around 10,000 family packs will be distributed in Iloilo.

The PCG will also be loading the BRP Gabriela Silang with relief supplies and family packs from the DSWD for delivery to the BARMM, to be followed by the loading of BRP Romblon bound for other storm-affected areas.

The PCG launched its “Task Force Kalinga” campaign, which aims to collect relief supplies such as drinking water, noodles, canned goods, alcohol, bath and laundry soaps, diapers, medicines, wet wipes, coffee, rice, face masks, aqua tabs and blankets from donors.

The PCG said it will temporarily not accept perishable goods and used clothes.

Meanwhile, over P51 million worth of humanitarian assistance will be provided by government and international humanitarian partners of the Philippines to communities affected by Paeng.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said included in this assistance are pledges from the United States, Japan, Canada and Australia.  – Robertzon Ramirez, Pia Lee-Brago