Kanlaon evacuees receive aid

MANILA, Philippines – At least 1,000 households affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros last June have received aid from volunteers.

In Bacolod City, relief came in the form of supplies and medical missions. 

BingoPlus Foundation, which spearheaded the relief drive with the help of volunteers, said it carried out the effort in support of the government’s “LAB For All” medical mission.

The social development arm of DigiPlus Interactive Corporation (DigiPlus) said volunteers distributed 1,000 relief packs containing food items and sanitation supplies to evacuees. This was carried out in partnership with the Municipality of La Castellana headed by Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan and the Nikki Cares Foundation Inc., represented by founder Dominique Lopez-Benitez.

Additionally, nearly 8,000 patients in the city benefited from the medical program spearheaded by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, with BingoPlus Foundation mobilizing volunteers and providing logistics support. 

Meanwhile, the foundation said it has also extended aid in General Santos City in the form of flu vaccinations and the construction of sanitation facilities in barangays. A dressmaking training center was also launched in Barangay San Isidro in cooperation with the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority and Department of Labor and Employment, as part of the foundation’s "KabuhayanPLUS” livelihood program. 

“These initiative forms part of the Foundation’s ‘Barangay Bigayan’ program, which aims to address the most urgent and pressing needs of urban communities in terms of resilience, health and capacity-building education and infrastructure. This seeks to enrich the spirit of giving and togetherness that Filipinos are known for,” the foundation said in a statement.

“Our Barangay Bigayan initiatives are grounded in our commitment to holistic community support. While healthcare is directly addressed through medical missions and improved sanitation facilities, our resilience efforts go beyond post-disaster presence. We focus on capacity-building programs for emergency preparedness and economic stability, ensuring that our communities are equipped to face any challenge," said DigiPlus pesident and BingoPlus Foundation chairman Andy Tsui.