CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Around twenty-five thousand (25,000) pounds of immediate needs and donations for the victims of typhoon Ulysses is about to bound to the affected areas of Cagayan Valley on Sunday, Nov. 22 through the C130 aircraft from Cagayan de Oro City.
A donation drive dubbed as #CagayanDeOroHelpsCagayan Valley through the initiative of the Local Government Unit of CDO, Army’s 4th Infantry Division, and Balay Mindanao is an activity that initiates to gather donations to help residents in Cagayan province who were badly affected by typhoons.
In a Press conference today Nov.18 Ariel Hernandez chairman of MSAB, senior executive director at Balay Mindanaw stated that this concept is not just fundraising but also a guide to those who are outside Cagayan de Oro who wanted to send their help to the affected area of Cagayan Valley.
“This is a personal appeal to contribute because Cagayan de Oro was very blessed of help way back 2011 during the typhoon Sendong, so it’s time to pay back”, Hernandez said.
Major General Andres C. Sentino commander of 4th ID said that the situation in Cagayan Valley reminds them of their responsibility to help and serve the public. He also added that they already had a talk with other Infantry divisions and Army officials to hand help and make sure that the target 25 thousand pounds of donation to be loaded in the aircraft will optimize.
“We are hoping nga mag tinabangay ang tibuok Mindanao. I think nga if maayo ang dagan sa atong plane load, padayon na ni siya. We are not just thinking of this one flight but for now, nag-focus pa lang ta ani nga flight kay immediate man ni, “ Sentino said.
Sentino added that they will think of another means of transportation for the next batch of help with the assistance of the Philippine Air force if there will be continuous help from people and other organizations that would support this concept.
The said donation drive is a platform designed so everybody can participate considering that all of the LGU’s are doing their tasks because of the pandemic. It is a relief raising initiative of the people of Cagayan de Oro and friends to help the flood victims of Cagayan Valley by typhoon Ulysses.
The partner agencies and organizations involved in this donation drive include Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro Press Club, LGU of Cagayan De Oro City, PRP 10, San Miguel Corporation, Del Monte Philippines Inc., 10 RCDG, and help from all other interested organizations or agencies will be appreciated.
The immediate needs to be loaded in the C130 includes Food(Rice, noodles, canned goods, etcetera), drinking water, blanket, towel, sleeping mat, Toiletries, Facemask, hygiene kits, and medicines.
The drop off points for the said donations are at the headquarter of 4ID, Camp Evangelista, Patag, CDO, Hqs TOG 10, Lumbia, CDO, Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria CDO, SM, Limketkai Mall, Centrio, and Gaisano.
The partner agencies and the 4ID will provide vehicles to pick up donations as necessary and for those who wanted to help from outside CDO.
The 4ID also opened an account name #CagayanDeOroHelpsCagayan Valley today where cash donations will be deposited.
All cash donations will be accounted for properly for transparency through providing a receipt to the donors as proof, and all records of donations would be consolidated containing the name of donors and corresponding donated items or cash.
“Palihug punu-on nato nag C130, para dili gansi ang byahe. Katong Sendong daghan kaayog nagtabang sa ato. It’s time to pay back, kita napud sa ila,” Foilan Gallardo- Cagayan de Oro Press Club Representative.
The 4ID Major General Andres C. Sentino said they are going to make sure that the immediate needs and donations are safe upon receiving until these arrive at the destination. There will be a continuous inspection for the donations if it is safe or clean before delivering them. Protocols will be consistently observed during and until the end of the operation. The donation drive will last until necessary. – Rigine Clyr Arraz/Newsline.ph
