More and More People Join the Army's Disaster Relief Efforts

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – After learning the initiative of the Philippine Army to launch a massive relief efforts for the victims of tropical storm Sendong in Northern Mindanao, more and more people have joined the disaster relief efforts, an Army official said.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, Army Spokesperson, said that tons of relief goods are now collected from various sources and are gathered in the different collection centers established by the Philippine Army.

He also said that the voluntary collection of the one day meal subsistence allowance is already underway.

“Approximately, we are expecting to accumulate P7 million from this initiative. The donations will be collected before the month ends. We will ensure that the Philippine Army will exhaust all means to help the victims of Sendong,” said Cabunoc.

Meanwhile, various public and private institutions have already given their donations in the different Army units as part of the relief efforts. Different non-government organizations and individuals have also expressed their commitment to help the victims of Sendong.

At present, the Civil-Military Operations Group in Fort Bonifacio has 55 tons of used clothing donated by the Filipino community in Dubai, along with 5,000 bottles of water and a truck of relief goods from the Ateneo School of Government and from the Office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

Seven boxes of medicine and additional four sacks of assorted used clothing were also donated in different Civil-Military Operations Battalion in the country.

In the 4^th Infantry Division, soldiers were mobilized to repack the relief goods from Vice President Jejomar Binay. This would help about a thousand affected families.

Also, 78 sacks of assorted used clothing, 14 boxes of noodles, 11 boxes of sardines, and two sacks of rice are awaiting distribution from the 8^th Infantry Division.

The Greenhills Christian Foundation has pledged to donate 10 balikbayan boxes of used clothing, 20 boxes of mineral water, goods, and noodles.

Army Chief Major General Emmanuel Bautista said that the influx of donations confirms that the Bayanihan spirit is still alive in every Filipinos.

The Philippine Army will coordinate with the local government units in the area for the distribution of the relief goods.