Operation Damayan, FFCCCII bring relief to 3,500 families in Quezon City
MANILA, Philippines — How much rain does it take to submerge a community? Here, one downpour can send floods rising to as high as 10 feet.
Many families in low-lying areas face this threat year-round. To help flood victims, The Philippine STAR and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) mounted a relief drive last Aug. 28 and 29.
The initiative benefited six barangays in Quezon City, including Quirino 2A, Apolonio Samson, Bahay Toro, Tatalon, Novaliches Proper and Batasan Hills.
“Many of our kababayans were badly affected by the storms and habagat. Through this relief operation, we want to show that the Filipino-Chinese community is one with you,” FFCCCII executive vice president Jeffrey Ng said in Filipino.
A total of 3,500 beneficiaries received relief packs, each containing five kilos of rice donated by the Federation and canned goods, and other essential food items donated by Quezon City councilor Mikey Belmonte.
“Tayong lahat ay nagdadamayan,”
Ng reaffirmed FFCCCII’s commitment to helping Filipinos in crisis during his visit to Barangay Tatalon, noting the group had donated P1 million to the The STAR’s Operation Damayan relief fund.
“The FFCCCII is really a big help, because they don’t only help us, bu they help the whole country. But it’s significant that they being help to Quezon City,” shared Councilor Belmonte.
The group’s dedication extends beyond Tatalon. Alongside partners from the Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation, the Filipino-Chinese community has conducted multiple nationwide relief operations, distributing 50,000 five-kilo packs of rice worth P10 million across Metro Manila and several provinces, including Baguio City, La Union, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, Olongapo and Palawan.
Delivering aid where it matters most
In Tatalon, streets can turn into rivers with just a few hours of rain. Recognizing the challenge, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte assured residents that the local government is coordinating with agencies for timely support.
Furthermore, Kagawad Jalyn Tabas emphasized that relief operations are critical, especially for families in classes C, D and E.
“Aid from the government and NGOs ensures residents have food and support when they need it most,” she said.
For residents like Evelyn Gracilla, the assistance could not have come at a better time.
“Operations like this are a big help as we try to recover,” she said in Filipino.
Hope amid the floods
The relief drive brought more than just food – it delivered reassurance that the community is not facing the storms alone. Through coordinated efforts like The Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan, families in vulnerable areas felt the solidarity and care of both local and national partners.
As Gracilla put it, “Their help is a big relief for us in times of crisis.”
“It is the advocacy of The Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan to provide assistance to our fellowmen in need, and also the commitment of the Belmonte family to do its part,” The Philippine STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte said.
“We are grateful to organizations as well as individuals that not only lend their support but also place their trust in STAR’s Operation Damayan,” he added.
Moments like these highlight how compassion and collective action can make a real difference when disaster strikes.
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