STAR mounts 'Sendong' fund drive

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine STAR Group, through its philanthropic arm Operation Damayan, appeals to kindhearted individuals and institutions to join its fund drive to assist victims of tropical storm “Sendong,” which battered towns and cities in Northern Mindanao, Palawan and the Visayas, chiefly Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

Early Saturday morning, Sendong disturbed the slumber of residents in these areas rarely visited by typhoons. The death toll has been estimated at 1,000, more than double that of “Ondoy” in 2009, while scores have been left injured or remain missing.

Kickstarting the fund drive are initial donations totaling P555,000 from: The Philippine STAR, P200,000; Pilipino Star Ngayon, P100,000, Pilipino Star Printing, P100,000; MGB, P100,000; Vanessa Estavillo, P20,000; Laughter Yoga Club Philippines, P10,000; TGFHA-LV, P20,000; and Linda’s Lechon Cebu, P5,000.

To accommodate donations from abroad, the calamity fund drive is being carried out for the first time in conjunction with i-Remit, which will be accepting donations in over 700 locations in 26 countries all over the world.

STAR Group president and CEO Miguel Belmonte, who chairs Operation Damayan, said: “We are aware that other kindhearted organizations and individuals are already providing relief at this time. Our efforts and assistance will focus on rehabilitation and rebuilding, especially the homes of our countrymen affected by the disaster.”

The STAR’s Operation Damayan carries out year-round corporate social responsibility projects that include calamity relief and rehabilitation, educational bridging programs, medical assistance and missions, and school rehabilitation work, among others.

This year, Operation Damayan constructed a P3-million school building in San Manuel, Tarlac, and donated a fully-equipped computer room in Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija.

Cash donations from local donors may be deposited to: The Philippine STAR Operation Damayan c/o Metrobank Aduana Branch Savings Account No. 151-304-161622-9 (Please fax deposit slip to tel. no. 301-9598 c/o Operation Damayan).