Freeman Foundation, Star’s Damayan send goods to Bohol

CEBU, Philippines - As part of  their relief campaign, The FREEMAN Foundation and the Operation Damayan of the Star Group of Publications initially transported more than 600 packs of goods to Bohol to help those affected by last week's 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

On Wednesday, an eight-man team from The Freeman Foundation delivered packs of relief goods and pails of biscuits to Loon, Bohol.

Another distribution will be made on Monday, said The FREEMAN general manager Melandro Mendoza, who heads the relief operations.

Shortly after the October 15 earthquake, The Freeman Foundation released an initial P16,800 for purchase of food for 100 families in Bohol.

But more help is coming in from readers and partners through Operation Damayan, the social arm of The Star Group of Publications, which launched the relieve drive "Lingap Bohol." 

With this, Mendoza said they have packed 623 bags, each contained two kilos of rice, five cans of sardines, five packs of noodles and four sachets of instant coffee.

Parts of the donation were 99 boxes of sardines from the Cebu City government coursed through The FREEMAN Foundation and contributions from partners such as the Sarrosa Hotel and valued readers.

A total of P38,600 has also been contributed by employees of The Freeman for the relief campaign. 

Mendoza said they hope to ship more goods to Bohol within the week since donations are accepted until October 30.

In the first shipment, Mendoza said they encountered challenges in the transportation of goods to the island of Pangangan in Calape, where they intend to distribute the relief goods.

But Mendoza said transportation is not anymore their main concern.

"Ang kalaban dito, hindi ang daan, hindi ang paghatid ng mga pagkain. Ang kalaban dito ang emosyon," he said.   (FREEMAN)