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.<\/p>\n
Bicol Association past president and Magic 100 DJ Jimmy Blancia said individuals and groups in the CNMI may give cash or in-kind donations.<\/p>\n
He said that, through an amateur radio group, he has contacted the National Disaster Coordinating Center in the Philippines for the relief assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to give. We\u2019re 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,\u201d said Blancia.<\/p>\n
Blancia, who goes on air from 630pm to 10pm on Magic 100, said interested individuals may contact him at the station at 234-5929.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am spearheading this because I haven\u2019t seen any group that\u2019s doing it yet. Even if there\u2019s one, I feel the conviction to act. It\u2019s an urgent matter,\u201d he said in an interview yesterday.<\/p>\n
He said he has asked his boss at the station to let him use his radio program as the contact for the relief assistance.<\/p>\n
He said he has contacted the Philippine Consulate General on the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m told by a staff that the consulate would only accept cash donations. It\u2019s their prerogative. I respect that but I believe that we can also give in-kind donations like clothes or food items,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
NDCC\u2019s listed contact persons at its headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, are Rufina Pascual and Joan Buenas at 632-911-5061-64.<\/p>\n
The center reportedly said that the most needed items in Bicol are medicines, temporary shelters like tents, food, water containers and purifiers.<\/p>\n
Holding area, container<\/p>\n
Blancia said one of his concerns regarding the relief operation is the lack of an area to accommodate relief goods prior to shipment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need an area where we can receive the donations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Reports said that the first foreign aid flights of food and medicines arrived Tuesday in Legaspi City in Bicol. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The mudslide reportedly swallowed entire villages near the Mayon volcano last Thursday.<\/p>\n
Rescuers reportedly said the search for life is now hopeless.<\/p>\n
Philippine civil defense officials confirmed 450 dead around Mayon volcano and another 636 missing. <\/p>\n
The National Disaster Coordinating Center said more than 1.14 million people had been affected by the disaster.<\/p>\n
Damage to property was estimated at more than 274 million pesos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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