MIGRANTE EXECOM | An Appeal for Immediate Assistance and Support (in cash or in kind) to Victims of Typhoons Maring and Santi in Luzon and the Recent Earthquake that Struck in Central Visayas

27 October 2013

Greetings!

Since Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, Migrante International, togerther with the Migrante Sectoral Party, has conducted relief operations under Sagip Migrante.   Since then it has extended assistance to victims of Typhoons Quiel and Pedring in Nueva Ecija, Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley and victims of Habagat brought about by typhoons.

Typhoons Maring and Santi

Last September and October this year, Typhoons Maring and Santi badly hit Luzon particularly in Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Laguna, Cavite and cities of Taguig, Paranaque, Taguig, Quezon City, Pasay in the National Capital Region.  The said typhoons caused massive flooding in these parts of Luzon. 

In Binan, Laguna alone, more than 6,000 residents left their homes as Laguna Lake submerged their houses beyond the roofs.  Water pumps are also under water, their toilets; some parts are seven-foot under water..  In the evacuation centers, children and adults are sick and have skin diseases.  Very recently, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Binan, Laguna is forcing evacuees to leave the centers even if there houses are still under water. 

OUr most active MSP chapter in Southern Tagalog is based in the flooded communities of Binan.  We also would like to note and once again express our deep appreciation to Migrante Australia and its friends for the wooden boat they donated. It is key to the fast delivery of relief goods.

On October 11 midnight and October 12, Typhoon Santi struck the main parts of Central Luzon unleashing strong winds and rains severely damaging farms and homes in most part of the region.  Nueva Ecija, the country’s top rice producer sustained the most damaged with tens of thousands of ready-to-be-harvested palay in 15 towns and 2 cities; thousands of houses, school buildings, churches and shopping malls were destroyed; centuries-old acacia trees uprooted and concrete electric posts lining vast stretch of Maharika.  Another MSP chapter based in Nueva Ecija is also based in the affected areas.

Earthquake in Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor with Bohol badly hit by 7.2 magnitude on October 16, 2013

As of October 18, 2013, he National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that death toll has already reached 173;  498 injured and a total of 19 people remained missing.

A total of 676,065 families or 3.4 million people in Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor were affected by the powerful earthquake. Of the total affected, 162,566 people are displaced from their homes. 

More than 19,000 houses were damaged and P563.6 to infrastructure according to NDRRCM.

With the limited funds left from last relief operations , Sagip Migrante initiated Soup Kitchens feeding more than 4,000 individuals in two evacuation centers and  in Brgys. Malaban, Sto. Domingo, Dela Paz,  San Jose in Binan, Laguna; Brgys Tramo, Cuenca, Benitez, Electrical in Pasay City; Brgys. Tramo and Mafran in Quezon City; Lower Bicutan in Taguig City.  

We also distributed about 544 packs of relief goods in Paranaque, Pasay City and Quezon City. Budget for each pack is PhP114 (2 packets of noodles, 2 sardines and 2 kilos of rice).

At this stage, victims are in dire need for food, medicines,  solar lights as there are still areas under water (Binan, Laguna) have no electricity and clean water. The farmers appeal for seeds members from Bohol and Cebu are also asking for additional support. 

Our Sagip Migrante funds need to be replenished. At present, we have received cash donations from Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and five (5) jumbo boxes of assorted goods from Taiwan. We have already sent some help to Bohol through Fr. Ariz and we intend to buy seedlings for farmers in Nueva Ecija. There is also much demand for solar flashlights. (The donated solar flashlights from Migrante Australia last year was identified as the most needed equipment in disaster prone communities.)

For any cash donation, please remit it to Migrante International, Bank of the Philippine Islands Kalayaan Branch, Account No. 1993-0859-16; Swift Code: BOPIPHMM.

For enquiry, please contact the National Office at telephone no: 63-2-9114910 ormigrante2007@yahoo.com.ph.

Any assistance extended is highly appreciated.  We will give you updates on the relief operations launched and financial report.

Thank you very much in advance.

Sincerely,

Executive Committee

Migrante International