Group gathers over $3K for Leyte tragedy

After more than a month of collecting funds for the mudslide victims in Southern Leyte, the Overseas Filipino Workers Support Group finally turned over the funds to an agency of the Philippine government.

The OFW Support Group remitted the funds through the PNB Foreign Exchange to the dollar account of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, which is under the Philippine Department of Civil Defense.

According to a letter from the OWWA-OFW Support Group addressed to NDCC chair Secretary Avelino J. Cruz, the donation was solicited from the Filipino community in the CNMI in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan.

The OFW Support Group Philippine held the ceremonial turnover on Wednesday. Support Group Planning Committee officer Dang Bernabe led the handing over of the donation to Consul General Wilfredo DL. Maximo.

“Once more, this is another proof that the Filipinos in the CNMI have always been united, especially in helping their fellow countrymen,” said Maximo.

He said the NDCC director has already acknowledged the assistance of the CNMI Filipino community. He said Cruz would soon forward a letter of appreciation from his office.

Aside from donations of Filipino groups and other individuals in the CNMI, a little blue box was placed at the receiving counter of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office in the Nauru Building late February to enable the OFWs to donate funds to help the mudslide victims.

In a letter signed by the support group officers, it said, “We are appealing to the generosity of all Filipinos in the CNMI and their friends for support of this project.”

Chairs Gabriel De Guzman, Daniel Nicomedes, Mario Aquillo, Ignacio Banadera Jr. Ofelia Lopez, and Tina Marie Alverio signed the letter of request for assistance.

The group said the collection from the fund drive would be used for the purchase of food and other emergency needs of the affected families. The donations would also be used for the food and other needs of the members of the volunteers aid workers, who are extending helping hands to the victims.

“It is usually in times like these that the Filipino people are united in helping one another. Let us therefore unite as a Filipino community and give our share for the emergency and rehabilitation needs of the families affected by this tragedy,” reads part of the letter.

The fundraising project was in collaboration with the OWWA office and the Philippine Consulate Office, both located in the Susupe landmark.