Fil-Ams urged to give to fund

A Filipino diplomat has asked Filipino-Americans to give to the Bayanihan Fund started by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. as part of efforts to bring down the country’s budget deficit.

Permanent Philippine representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja Jr. said the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA) will have a chance to help their country of origin at a time of looming crisis.

Speaking at the NaFFAA’s sixth Empowerment Congress in Chicago, Baja said Filipino-Americans can do their share and contribute to the Bayanihan Fund.

"Senators and congressmen have agreed to renounce their pork or part of it," he said.

"The executive department has embarked on austerity measures; businessmen have come forward, promising to pitch in, and religious organizations have taken notice of the crisis.

"There is really something truly wonderful happening back home. I see a resurgence of nationalism, of patriotism, of love of country." — Marvin Sy