Group seeks help for RP typhoon victims

The Saipan-based Bicol Association has begun a donation drive for typhoon and mudslide victims in Bicol, the Philippines, where an estimated 1.4 million were affected by the disaster that hit eastern Philippines last week.

Bicol Association past president and Magic 100 DJ Jimmy Blancia said individuals and groups in the CNMI may give cash or in-kind donations.

He said that, through an amateur radio group, he has contacted the National Disaster Coordinating Center in the Philippines for the relief assistance.

“We want to give. We’re very concerned about our countrymen affected by supertyphoon Reming [Durian] and the mudslide. They need our help now. I am appealing to people to please help,” said Blancia.

Blancia, who goes on air from 630pm to 10pm on Magic 100, said interested individuals may contact him at the station at 234-5929.

“I am spearheading this because I haven’t seen any group that’s doing it yet. Even if there’s one, I feel the conviction to act. It’s an urgent matter,” he said in an interview yesterday.

He said he has asked his boss at the station to let him use his radio program as the contact for the relief assistance.

He said he has contacted the Philippine Consulate General on the matter.

“I’m told by a staff that the consulate would only accept cash donations. It’s their prerogative. I respect that but I believe that we can also give in-kind donations like clothes or food items,” he said.

He said that the Bicol Association is advised to send cash donation to the NDCC Donation Fund Account 00149-435-3 with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

NDCC’s listed contact persons at its headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, are Rufina Pascual and Joan Buenas at 632-911-5061-64.

The center reportedly said that the most needed items in Bicol are medicines, temporary shelters like tents, food, water containers and purifiers.

Holding area, container

Blancia said one of his concerns regarding the relief operation is the lack of an area to accommodate relief goods prior to shipment.

“We need an area where we can receive the donations,” he said.

He said the Bicol organization would also seek assistance from a freight company to transport the relief goods to the Philippines. He said the organization plans to send a 20-foot container of relief goods to Bicol.

Reports said that the first foreign aid flights of food and medicines arrived Tuesday in Legaspi City in Bicol.

Bicol officials had said that the devastating torrent of mud and volcanic ash from Mt. Mayon triggered by typhoon rains have left more than 1,000 people dead or missing.

The mudslide reportedly swallowed entire villages near the Mayon volcano last Thursday.

Rescuers reportedly said the search for life is now hopeless.

Philippine civil defense officials confirmed 450 dead around Mayon volcano and another 636 missing.

The National Disaster Coordinating Center said more than 1.14 million people had been affected by the disaster.

Damage to property was estimated at more than 274 million pesos.