Navy hopes to raise P2-M for 'Yolanda' victims; won't hold Christmas parties

MANILA, Philippines - Personnel of the Philippine Navy are giving up their P90 daily meal allowance to raise funds for the victims of super typhoon "Yolanda."

Col. Edgard Arevalo, the Navy's Civil Military Operations Group commander, said they have started with one of the Navy's major unit.

"As a process, hindi naman puwedeng i-curtail yung kanilang pagkain so we will have also to communicate with them. So far, positibo naman... yung isang major unit sa Navy ay nag-signify na ng willingness na ipagpatuloy yung (meal donation),"  Arevalo said on Wednesday.

He said that P2.07 million may be raised if the entire Navy personnel, including the 2,000 civilian staff, will donate their P90 meal.

Arevalo said they are hoping that they will be able to raise the amount within the week.

"We are already in the process of communicating it sa mga personnel natin. We are confident maipagpapatuloy natin yan at i-donate natin sapagkat gusto naman lahat nating tumulong," he said.

"We hope within this week kung ma- process natin at maibigay natin kaagad. Talagang nakaka- encourage kasi marami ang gustong tumulong yung personel natin sa Navy other than the physical act they are doing. We are willing donate (our meal allowance) even one day," the Navy official added.

Arevalo also pointed out that they are also considering of cancelling Christmas parties to show the Navy's sensitivity to the plight of the typhoon victims.

"Gusto nating ikonsidera na ang mga ating Christma party ay ating isaalang-alang. Kung ipagpatuloy man natin bilang konting kasiyahan din natin...it is going to be toned down Christmas celebration," he said.

Arevalo said that the money that could be saved from not having a Christmas party could be added to the cash donation they have collected from Navy personnel.