CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) donated P1 million for the relief efforts of the victims of typhoon Ondoy in Luzon.
The organization is also sending other aid in kind to the calamity victims, said Samuel Chioson, CCCI president.
Chioson said that the check was given to the ABS-CBN Foundation.
He said that the money was donated by his uncle, Ramon Chiu of Coastal High Point Ventures.
The CCCI has also collected P158 thousand in pledges and expects to collect some more from its members.
Chioson said that they will be sending to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry the other donations that they have collected.
The CCCI president assured that the effects of the typhoon would not affect the supply of basic goods in Cebu.
Chioson said that there is sufficient supply here and does not see any increase in prices due to the delay in the arrival of cargo.
Lift Suspension Of SLI
Chioson also reiterated the call of the CCCI for the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to lift its suspension of the passenger operations of Sulpicio Lines Inc.
SLI was suspended from ferrying passengers after its flagship MV Princess of the Stars capsized last year at the height of typhoon Frank.
Chioson said that while they are grateful for the quick response of the Department of Transportation and Communication in lifting the suspension of the vessels of Superferry and other Aboitiz vessels, they wish that the Sulpicio vessels would also be allowed to sail.
CCCI immediately wrote to DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza after the call for suspension and appealed for them to reconsider the decision stating the effect it would cause the business sector in terms of import and export due also to the lack of vessels as the Sulpicio ships are still suspended.
Bayanihan Spirit
The bayanihan spirit continues in Cebu as more donations are coming in.
The ABS-CBN Cebu Kapamilya Relief Campaign for the victims of typhoon Ondoy continues to accumulate relief goods to be sent to the affected areas.
In a statement released to The Freeman yesterday, the station has already collected goods worth P4.2 million filling seven 20-footer container vans.
All these are scheduled to be shipped to Manila today and on Saturday.
Shipping lines like the Lorenzo Shipping Corporation, Aboitiz Transport Services, Gothong Southern Shipping Lines, Sulpicio Lines and Negros Navigation will bring all those good to Manila “free of charge.”
The campaign has also collected P616,000 worth of cash and check donations. — AJ de la Torre and Liv Campo/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)