You want to help out the victims of Typhoon Sendong in the Philippines, but kind
of wary that your donations might just end up to some dirty politicians’ hands
or some fake organizations or individuals? Please read on where you can send
your donations safely, for your peace of mind. Also, let me lend you some
graphic pictures of the deadly effect of this horrendous typhoon Sendong.


   The Philippine Embassy wishes to inform those who have relatives and friends
affected by Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) that the National
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) has established an
operations center, where queries may be directed.  The contact details of the
center are (+632) 911-1406, 912-2665, 912-5668, and email address
dopcen@ndcc.gov.ph.

  

   Most of the dead were from the port cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan,
located about 800 kilometers (500 miles) from the capital of Manila.
   The country’s Armed Forces has dispatched personnel and equipment to the
affected areas.  The government is also taking steps to prevent outbreaks of
cholera, dysentery, dengue and respiratory problems particularly in congested
evacuation centers.

   Interested parties may send donations for the victims of the calamity to the
bank account of the NDRRMC or the Department of Social Welfare and Development
as follows: National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council
Bank name – Development Bank of the Philippines

Account name – NDRRMC Donated Funds
Account number – 0435-021927-130
Swift code – DBPHPMM (account no. 36002016)
Focal person – Ms. Rufina Pascual (Collecting Officer, Office of Civil Defense)
Tel. no. – (+632) 421-1920

Department of Social Welfare and Development
Bank name – Land Bank of the Philippines (Batasan, Quezon City branch)
Account number – 3124-0055-81
Focal person – Ms. Fe Catalina Ea (Cash Division)
Tel. no. – (+632) 931-8101 loc. 226, cel. no. (+63918) 628-1897.
Additional information concerning the typhoon may be found at the website of the
NDRRMC, www.ndrrmc.gov.ph.  END

****

   Ed Navarra, national chair of the National Federation of Filipino American
Associations (NaFFAA), appealed to “give generously and find ways to bring
comfort and consolation” to survivors of hundreds of victims of Typhoon
“Sendong.”

   In an email circulated by NaFFAA’s Bing Branigin and Jon Melegrito, they
quoted Mr. Navarra as saying, “We are keeping in our thoughts and prayers the
thousands of displaced and devastated Filipino sisters and brothers, especially
the families of nearly a thousand dead, as a result of last weekend’s flooding
in Mindanao caused by Typhoon  Sendong (international code name, Washi).
   “I would like to appeal to all our kababayans to do everything you can to
help and provide relief and assistance.  You can help through the Red Cross,
churches or local agencies involved in humanitarian operations.
“The human element of this flash flood is too vivid to dispel. But in the spirit
of this season, I hope that we can all give generously and find ways to bring
comfort and consolation to our fellow human beings in their time of greatest
need.”
   Mr. Navarra can be reached at  e-mail addresses ejn0115@aol.com and
ejnavarra@gmail.com.

****

   Redwood City, Calif. - ABS CBN Foundation International launches an
international disaster relief effort for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in
Mindanao island, the southern region of the Philippines, through Sagip
Kapamilya. Tax deductible monetary donations are now being accepted to provide
immediate aid. Cheques can be made to “ABS CBN Foundation International: Typhoon
Sendong” and sent to the nonprofit’s offices at 150 Shoreline Drive, Redwood
City, California 94065. Donors can also contribute online via
www.abscbnfoundation.org.

   Typhoon Sendong is now considered the world’s deadliest storm for 2011. Most
of the dead are women and children.

   While mass graves are being dug for its casualties, survivors continue to
ask for help. Body bags, food, water, medicine, blankets, kerosene lamps, etc.
are urgently needed in evacuation centers where the ABS CBN Foundation
volunteers are stationed.

   “Typhoon Sendong is especially devastating to all of us because it affected
some of our poorest families just a few days before Christmas,” said J. Robbie
Fabian, President of the ABS CBN Foundation International. “We will be on the
ground until more missing persons are brought to safety and all our survivors
are given immediate attention. As always, the commitment of Sagip Kapamilya is
long-term community rehabilitation.”

   The Sagip Kapamilya—Typhoon Sendong campaign appeals to the global community
to assist the Filipino people in this time of dire need.  To address the urgent
needs on the ground in the quickest possible way, and because shipments of
in-kind goods take 45 days to arrive in the Philippines, ABS CBN Foundation
International will only accept monetary donations at this time.  ABS CBN
Foundation International is committed to remit 100% of donations to the
Philippines within 24 hours of the donation.

###

NAFCON Activates Bayanihan Relief for Victims of Disastrous Calamity in Mindanao
   The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), with member
organizations throughout the U.S., is activating its Bayanihan Relief  program
for the victims of 'Sendong' in Mindanao.
   NAFCON is collecting exclusively monetary relief (not material goods) and
ensures that your donations go directly to the communities of the Philippines
who are deeply and adversely affected by 'Sendong'.
   "As we near Christmas, we urge our kababayan to ease the suffering of
children, families, and loved ones back home who were hit hard by 'Sendong' by
making immediate monetary donations in the true spirit of the holidays," said
Terry Valen, NAFCON President.

   NAFCON has established collections centers throughout the U.S and has a
Paypal account. For Paypal go to: http://tinyurl.com/bayanihanrelief
   Cash or checks go to locations listed below. On memo please write: NAFCON
Bayanihan Relief

North East: Checks Payable to “Philippine Forum”
mail to 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY
Regional Coordinator: Michelle Saulon, ne@nafconusa.org, (347) 867 - 1550
Mid West: Checks Payable to "Good Shepherd Congregation"; mail to 4707 W. Pratt
Ave Lincolnwood, Il 60712; Regional Coordinator: Lorena Nabua, mw@nafconusa.org,
(224) 678 - 3415


****

   Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago wishes to thank all
those who conveyed messages of sympathy for the Filipino people affected by
Typhoon Washi (Sendong).
   The typhoon has moved outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility on
Sunday, December 18th.   An estimated 63,079 families spread across 13 provinces
have been affected by the typhoon, and initial cost of damage to properties has
amounted to Php 1,936,415.00.

   For those who inquired, the following are entities receiving donations for
typhoon victims:

A. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC); Focal
Person:  Ms. Rufina Pascual;Tel. Nos.: (632) 421-1920; +63-911506165

B.Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Focal Person:  Ms. Fe
Catalina Ea
Tel. Nos.: (632) 931-8101 loc. 226; +63-9186281897

C. Philippine Red Cross (PRC)
   For donations to be acknowledged, please fax bank transaction slips to (632)
527-0575 or (632) 404-0979 with donor’s name, address and contact numbers.
Guidelines for online donations may be accessed via www.redcross.org.ph.
*Note:  Checks should be made payable to The Philippine Red Cross

D. GMA Kapuso Foundation; www.kapusofoundation.com

E.  ABS-CBN Foundation

Kindly send email to foundation@abs-cbn.com

   The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago would like to inform the public
and concerned overseas Filipinos in the Midwest that the DSWD’s guidelines for
donations from foreign sources may be found on the following websites:
p://www.dswd.gov.ph/phocadownload/ao/ao6series2010.pdf and www.dfa.gov.ph (under
the “Advisory”