Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Interior Secretary Mar Roxas received Wednesday a P10-million cash donation from a Chinese-Filipino community as assistance to victims of typhoon “Pablo” in the southern part of the country.
The cash grant for the typhoon victims was donated to the Philippine Government by the Federation Filipino-Chinese Chambers Commerce Industry (FFCCCI).
Roxas said a big portion of the money will be used to buy household supplies such as cooking stoves, and other kitchen wares which they will need to cook food.
You have to remember that the homes and livelihood of people in the towns of New Bataan, Cateel, Boston, and Baganga were completely wiped out. While relief goods such as rice, noodles, and canned goods come in, they need a stove so they can cook and eat the food,” Roxas added.
Aside from the cash donation, Roxas said FFCCCI has also donated 22,000 food packages to typhoon victims.
“If needed, we will donate more for the housing projects through the good Secretary of the DILG, Mr. Mar Roxas,” said FFCCI President Tan Ching.
The DILG has also received pledges for some P70,000 worth of relief goods from other private donors including Luxury Enterprise and the Zonta Club of Makati.
Moreover, Roxas said a department order is now being finalized authorizing local government units not affected by Pablo to donate part of their calamity funds to help typhoon-ravaged provinces, municipalities, and barangays (villages).
“It will be an LGU to LGU accounting. They can send their donations to LGU, the affected provinces, towns and villages…,” Roxas said.
Meanwhile, Roxas said he has also ordered the cancellation of Christmas parties in his department, adding that any amount of money that will be generated from the cancellation will, likewise, be donated to typhoon victims.