Trousers, water, cash, etc. pour in for Japan aid drive

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) has received an overwhelming response from the public for its relief drive for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

“I was personally touched that as early as 9 a.m. on April 4, a big balikbayan box donated by Erlinda Santos of White Plains, Quezon City, arrived in the office,” said Connie Kalagayan, PDI corporate affairs manager.

Kalagayan said it “is heartwarming to know that there are a lot of kind souls willing to help others even though they are not our own countrymen. It is the same bayanihan spirit at work which was very evident among us Filipinos during the ‘Ondoy’ calamity.”

The PDI launched the relief drive on Monday in partnership with Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) and Peace Boat, a Japan-based international organization that works to promote peace, human rights and sustainable development.

The Peace Boat, a cruise ship with a capacity of 2,000 passengers, will dock on April 13 in Manila, its last port of call before leaving for Japan. It will carry relief goods for distribution in Japan.

Other donors include Thelma Lagitan of Fairview, two boxes of jackets and trousers; Steph Asuncion of Inquirer, two bags of toiletries; Vice Gov. Mark Leviste of Batangas, water and toiletries from Japanese firms in Batangas (he is still accepting donations to be delivered to the PDI office by April 11).

Ambassador Howard Dee, Assisi Development Foundation c/o Vicky Bores), Teresita Cruz of Marikina, Gabriel Abello and donors in Davao City donated cash.

Betty Anglim called to inquire about the relief drive and signified her intention to donate in her little way. She said she would encourage her neighbors to donate to the earthquake and tsunami victims.

“This (donation) is charity for the Japanese people whom we pity because of what befell them,” said Abello, a real estate broker. “I hope the Japanese people will also help us if something happens to us,” he said.

Items needed

The list of things that the PDI, IID and Peace Boat are collecting for the earthquake and tsunami victims include nail clippers, lotion, cotton buds, hand cream, cleanser, toothbrushes, toothpaste, face wash, body towels, wet tissues, hand mirrors, underwear (especially for women), socks, men’s trousers, diapers (child and adult) and feminine hygiene products.

Donations for the earthquake and tsunami victims may be sent to the PDI editorial offices at 1098 Chino Roces Ave. corner Yague and Mascardo Streets in Makati City.

For peso cash donations, one can deposit the amount at Checking Account No. 358-3-35808090-2 of Initiatives for International Dialogue with Metropolitan Bank, McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City.

Inquiries

For inquiries about the aid campaign, please call Kalagayan or Bianca Kasilag at Tel. No. 8994426.

The PDI believes that it can empower the Filipino people to make a difference by expressing their solidarity, support and sympathy for Japan, Kalagayan said.

“By being a conduit, we’re giving the people the opportunity to donate goods needed for the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the devastated and traumatized communities in Japan,” she said.

She thanked all the people who donated items, either in goods or cash, to the relief drive. “We applaud your generosity and kindness. We also encourage others to share their blessings.”

Until April 13

The Inquirer is accepting donations until April 13.

The IID is urging its partner civil society organizations and communities, especially in Mindanao, to support the Japan relief drive.

“Even a mighty Japan needs our help. Japan has even pledged to carry on its commitment to its partners and beneficiaries in Mindanao despite the long-term damage to its economy caused by the earthquake and tsumani, as well as by the threat to its power-generating infrastructure shown by the continuing crisis of its nuclear power plant in Fukushima,” said IID executive director Gus Miclat.

“So the least we can show is our appreciation for the Japanese people’s generosity by doing whatever we can to express concrete forms of solidarity in their dire moment of need,” he said.

Peace cranes

Miclat said the IID would also mobilize its partners like Philippine Global Exchange, based in Metro Manila, to turn over 1,000 peace cranes as a symbol of the Filipino people’s wish for healing in Japan. According to Japanese tradition, 1,000 folded cranes gives the folder one wish.

The event will be held when the Peace Boat docks in Manila to receive the donations for Japan.

The IID urges its partners to craft the cranes from old Inquirer copies.

Both the IID and the Peace Boat are members of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, a civil society network that engages and partners with governments, civil society and multilateral institutions in conflict prevention and peace-building work.

The IID, a Davao-based regional advocacy and solidarity organization, has been at the forefront of solidarity and peace-building efforts in Mindanao and in the rest of Southeast Asia. It was instrumental in galvanizing support in the region for East Timor in the 1990s up to its eventual independence in 2002.

“It will also be a momentous occasion for the Filipino to show moral support to the Japanese people’s struggle to deal with the effects of nuclear warfare exemplified by the Hibakushas on board Peace Boat as well as with the present threat of nuclear contamination,” Miclat said.

Hibakushas are victims of the atomic bombing in Japan during World War II.