Private groups unite for relief aid drive

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — With the seemingly slow and inequitable release of relief aid despite the LGU's having P130 million in calamity funds, some private groups banded themselves into the Yolanda Resource Network (YRN) that joined other aid groups from here and abroad, without coursing their donations through politicians.

In an initial organizational meeting held Tuesday afternoon at the Ormoc Villa Hotel, the private groups that attended have pledged to coordinate their relief efforts and see to it that distribution will be fair to all and not tainted with politics.

Among those in the meeting were members and leaders of the Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry, two Rotary Clubs in the city, two Lions Clubs, the Ormoc Doctors' Hospital, Ormoc City Medical Society and even the Holy Rosary Crusade group.

Chamber president Iñigo Larrazabal said the YRN was created after receiving inquiries from local and foreign groups where to course their donations and how these will be distributed fairly.

Named head coordinator of YRN is retired Navy officer Troy Bumagat, former aide-de-camp of presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro.

Bumagat said what is needed now is "consequence management system" and a command center to address the volunteer and auxiliary response. He noted many wanted to help but did not know where to go.

"We will fill the needs of what the LGU might miss or skip," he said. "There is already relief distribution by the LGUs but favored barangays are being prioritized."

Larrazabal said he was urging the LGU to secure the city and make it safe for businesses to operate again. "We have to make a positive effort to show that we can rebuild Ormoc. We have to show people that Ormoc can rise up again," he said.

He lamented the situation that, despite intelligence reports of looters eyeing Ormoc, there is no police visibility. "We have to show people that we are united and will fight threats to our business, lives and properties," he said. "We should start cleaning our markets, do some economic activities to make people feel hope," he said.

In Baybay City, some 45 minutes away, Prince Warehouse owner Robert Go said he started operations again yesterday after Mayor Carmen Cari assured him that his establishment will be secured from looters.

Sources said Mayor Cari prioritized the front liners of the relief and rehab efforts in the first wave of relief goods, so that they can still report to work, knowing that their families will not grow hungry.

Go said thousands had trooped to Baybay yesterday, some coming from Ormoc and other areas, and while there were more goods transported from Cebu City, rice supply remained a problem. "Cebu has run out of rice and we are hoping to get from Manila. This is after the earthquake and the panic buying before Yolanda."

Go said even the Prince Store in Maasin City, another 100 kilometers away, and which was not badly hit by Yolanda, has been wiped clean of stocks. (FREEMAN)