Metro kids offer peace cranes

MANILA, Philippines—An offer of a thousand peace cranes from a group of children in Metro Manila is among the responses the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) has received from the public for its relief drive for victims of the triple disasters in Japan.

This came as two consular teams from the Philippine Embassy in Japan journeyed to Fukushima prefecture yesterday to bring relief goods to Filipinos there who have been displaced by the nuclear emergency resulting from the 9-magnitude earthquake and monster tsunami that struck Japan on March 11.

The consular missions visited four locations in Fukushima and distributed food packs, rice, canned goods, bottled water, blankets and other relief items.

The PDI launched the relief drive on April 4 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.

The new donors to the Inquirer relief drive are Mr. and Mrs. Andres Constantino, Jude Tan, Quintin Uy and Ramon Tulfo—cash.

Alex Huang, Khristine Ditanga, Violeta Dizon, Joshua Cordero, Chim de Los Santos, Shirley Pobre, Sr. Cora Agoncillo of St. Mary’s Academy, Pampanga, and a resident of Cubao, Quezon City, who asked not to be named, donated toiletries, jackets and trousers.

Aikawa Philippine Inc. and Lima Technology Center donated bottled water.

‘Time to help’

Dizon, a retired IT professional and resident of BF Homes in Parañaque, said she was moved by what she had seen on TV about the situation of the earthquake and tsunami victims.

“I saw that they need clothing, especially thick ones. I pity them. I have jackets and trousers that my husband bought but did not use. It’s time for me to help,” said Dizon, a widow and longtime Inquirer reader.

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

Cash donations, inquiries

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.

For inquiries about the aid campaign, please call Connie Kalagayan, Inquirer corporate affairs manager, or Bianca Kasilag at Tel. No. 8994426.

The Inquirer is accepting donations until April 12.

The two firms that sent bottled water were responding to the calls of Vice Governor Antonio Leviste III and Governor Vilma Santos of Batangas to extend help to disaster victims in Japan.

He urged donors in the province to call his executive assistant, Marionelo Moraleja at (043)723-9889. With a report from Jerome Aning