Damayan reaches out to Bantayan Island

BANTAYAN ISLAND, Cebu, Philippines – Some 2,300 families received relief goods yesterday as Operation Damayan, the corporate social responsibility arm of The Philippine STAR, visited Madridejos in Bantayan Island, Northern Cebu to provide relief.

The first of three stops that will take Damayan volunteers to Cebu, Samar and Leyte, Madridejos is a coastal town where most families depend on fishing for their day-to-day living.

However, Yolanda’s onslaught left the people of this town without roofs over their homes, without electricity, potable water and, worst of all, livelihood. It will reportedly take a year before electricity is restored considering the damage that the typhoon had wrought.

Thanks to the support of various institutions and individuals, Operation Damayan has mobilized relief operations for 7,000 families in typhoon-ravaged towns in Madridejos; Basey, Samar; and Tanauan, Leyte.

Meanwhile, Operation Damayan received a new round of donations amounting to P622,500 yesterday, bringing the total funds raised for typhoon victims to P7.92 million. Of this amount, P600,000 was donated by the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), which sent its donation yesterday without fanfare, expressing their desire to help victims of Yolanda without the benefit of any press coverage.

The STAR also acknowledges the donations of the following good Samaritans, some of which were received last Nov. 14: F.L.P., P50,000; Mr. Jose Lagman, P50,000; Mr. M, P50,000; Nutripack Benelux of Netherlands, P50,000; Pearl Island Commercial Corp., P50,000; Norwegian Recruiting Co., P50,000; G.L.U., P25,000; Rural Bank of Baco (Oriental Mindoro), P15,000; PSN Account Executives, P14,500; Linda’s Lechon, P10,000; Eden Lucelo & Imee Marasigan, P10,000; Rural Bank of Sta. Ignacia Inc. (Signa Bank-Tarlac), P10,000; Celso S.C. Pe, P10,000; Dr. Pablito G. Barroga (Candon City, Ilocos Sur), P10,000; Renato & Evelyn Galve, P10,000; Anonymous, P5,000; Mario Mendoza, P5,000; Alfonso Lee Chua, P5,000; Atty. Gary Sancio & family, P5,000; Jon & Joyce Atacador, P5,000; Louie S. Angelo, P5,000; Philstar carriers, P3,000; Nathalie Tomada, P1,500; Arbi Lanuzo, P1,000; and Ramel Tocmo & family, P1,000.

Meanwhile, The STAR continues to welcome donations for typhoon victims via The Philippine STAR Operation Damayan c/o MBTC Aduana Branch Savings Account No. 151-7-15152422-9 (kindly confirm your deposit via 527-7901 local 152).

For inquiries or donations in kind, please call 336-9598, email [email protected], follow @philippinestar on Twitter or visit www.facebook.com/ThePhilippineSTAR for updates.