Pampanga inmates skip three breakfasts to raise typhoon donations

MANILA, Philippines - Even those behind bars are helping the victims of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Detainees of the Pampanga Provincial Jail skipped breakfast for three days and chose to donate their meal allowance to the victims of Super Typhoon "Yolanda," Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Sonny Coloma said.

In a statement, Coloma said 885 inmates were able to gather P53,425 from their meal allowance and personal contributions.

"Ito ay patunay na ang hangaring tumulong ay hindi nakabatay sa katayuan sa buhay, kung hindi sa malasakit at pagmamahal sa kapwa na likas sa ating lahat na mga Pilipino," said Coloma, who expressed Malacañang's gratitude.

Coloma also reported that the national government will now focus on the rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts in areas devastated by Yolanda as local government units are now supervising the relief operations.

He said President Benigno Aquino III is currently leading the Cabinet in a meeting of the National Economic Development Authority Board, which has been convened to concretize priority action programs for the severely damaged portions of Eastern Visayas.

Coloma said the Office of the Executive Secretary has also issued Memorandum Circular 57 to mobilize the country’s 1.3-million strong bureaucracy to help in the typhoon relief efforts.

The memorandum directs all departments’ secretaries and heads of agencies, government corporations and local government units to mobilize their respective officials and employees to help in relief and rehabilitation efforts, according to Coloma.