First Gentleman donates P2 million for 'Ondoy' victims

MANILA, Philippines - First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo has donated P2 million to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) for the victims of tropical storm “Ondoy.”

“No amount of money can equal the pain our countrymen are going through after this tragedy,” he said.

“My prayers are for those who are presently suffering from the devastation this calamity has brought down on us.”

Arriving from New York where he served as one of the honorary co-chairmen in the 2nd World Focus on Autism seminar, Mr. Arroyo said the amount will be a big help to thousands of Filipinos who were displaced or lost their relatives and properties.

He is appalled by the destruction left by Ondoy, particularly on the poor, he added.

The P2 million will come from the First Gentleman Foundation, Inc. (FGFI), a privately funded charity organization, Mr. Arroyo said.

Meanwhile, doctor-scholars of FGFI have volunteered their services to NDCC’s relief assistance and rehabilitation operations.

The doctors were accompanied this afternoon to the NDCC’S Sagip Tulong Center at NBN4 by FGFI president Juris Soliman.

They would be deployed immediately to storm-hit areas and evacuation centers for the medical needs of the evacuees.

Among the volunteers are Dr. Deborrah Liao, Dr. Pinky de Leon, Dr. Queenie Raagas, Dr. Genebago Marcos, Dr. Jay Pee Cruz, Dr. Rommel Bernabe Jr., Dr. Joey Sabularce, Dr. Criston Van Manasan, Dr. Jeffrey James Motos, Dr. Mary Ruth Sanchez, Dr. James Salisi and Dr. Venjune Tansiongco.

They belong to Batch 2 of FGFI’s medical scholarship program Bagong Doktor Para sa Bayan project.

They passed the medical board examinations recently. 

By 2014, FGFI would have sponsored 181 doctors to serve communities in remote areas.  

At Malacañang, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Oplan Sagip Bayan has received and processed and distributed P8 million worth of food packages to some 56,180 families affected by Ondoy.

“The government is now shifting to rehabilitation mode,” he said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we will be able to get back on our feet in no time at all. Our gratitude goes to the Good Samaritans, many of whom will be nameless for now.”

Myung Goo Kwon, Hanjin Philippines vice president, has personally turned over 1,000 sacks of rice and 2,500 boxes of mineral water worth P1.1 million, Remonde said.

As of Friday, the Presidential Management Staff reported volunteers now number 2,195.

Student-volunteers come from Far Eastern University, Centro Escolar University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines-Manila, University of Santo Tomas, and Philippine Normal University.

President Arroyo is ready to distribute 1,497 food bags in evacuation centers in Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Laguna, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, Pasay City, Pateros, Caloocan City, Taguig, and Antipolo, Cainta and Taytay in Rizal, the PMS said.

Globe offers free service

Globe is offering free remittance services via GCASH REMIT from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 to extend help to families of overseas Filipino workers affected by Ondoy.

Globe is waiving all remittance transactions from abroad via GCASH to help OFWs reach out faster and easier to their families in the Philippines.

GCASH REMIT provides for the international remittance requirements of OFWs.

Starting Sept. 30, all GCASH REMIT transactions will be free of charge until Oct. 5.

No other fees will be charged from the sending customer, as well as the receiving beneficiary, making the service free within the period stated.              – Jose Rodel Clapano