For quake-hit provinces, Singapore Red Cross sends aid; Sacred Heart group gives cash

CEBU, Philippines - As part of their ongoing relief operations in Southeast Asian countries, Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is also helping victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Central Visayas recently, particularly the provinces of Bohol and Cebu.

SRC, among others, deployed a team of relief volunteers to affected areas and sent the first tranche of relief items worth S$100,000, which includes goods, medical supplies, and necessities for basic hygiene.

In their press statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore said that doctors of SRC have volunteered in Tagbilaran City and are assisting local surgeons attend to the injured victims.

Also, their group in Bohol have partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in setting up advance medical posts in the town of Loon, Bohol while a second SRC team will also be deployed to the province to help PRC in its medical mission.

“SRC’s aid to the Philippines is part of ongoing relief efforts in other parts of Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, which have been hit by recent tropical storms and typhoons,” the press statement further read.

SRC has launched a public appeal for the “Southeast Asia Emergencies” and is receiving donations in their headquarters in Singapore.

Aside from Singapore, other Asian countries have poured in donations and extended assistance to the earthquake-hit provinces in the Philippines including South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the Sacred Heart Men’s Association Inc., also donated yesterday P500,000 to the provincial government of Cebu as assistance for the victims of the earthquake.

Lead by its president, Former Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, the association turned over the check yesterday to Governor Hilario Davide III.

“We leave it to the provincial government to decide how the donation should be spent or which areas need it most,” Benedicto said, adding that the members of the ladies association of the Sacred Heart Church also visited Bohol to assist the victims of the earthquake.

“The ladies association of the parish also gave a substantial financial assistance for their counterpart and (that will be) distributed to the Federation of Catholic Association in Bohol,” stated Benedicto.

Davide extended his gratitude to the group and assured that the assistance would go a long way.

Benedicto said that the masses at the Sacred Heart Church in Cebu City have been ongoing since the church only acquired minor damages. — (FREEMAN)