 |
| Thick volcanic ash covers entire houses in Agoncillo, Batangas (photo from DWC) |
At
least two groups in Hong Kong have launched a fund drive for those displaced by
the eruption of Taal volcano in Batangas, Philippines. Taal, considered as the
country’s second most active volcano, last erupted in 1977.
Thousands
of people have been evacuated from areas around the volcano in Talisay town, amid
warnings a more explosive eruption could take place in the next few days.
The
entire province of Batangas has been placed in a state of calamity, but many
other areas in nearby Cavite and Laguna have also been badly affected. The
thick ash spewed by the volcano reached as far as Quezon City, which is about 100 km to the north.
Batangas
Varsitarian International Hong Kong, led by Erwin Marqueses, was among the
first to appeal for help for those affected by the eruption. He posted an
announcement on Facebook asking Filipino community leaders and members for
donations, particularly of canned goods, noodles, instant coffee, biscuits,
face masks, blankets, towels and soap. “All those things that you think can
help,” he said. Cash is also accepted.
He
asked donors to go to Worldwide House this Sunday, Jan. 19, between 9am and 1pm,
where the goods will be packed in boxes and sent immediately to Batangas. All
cash donations will be used to buy goods that will also go into the boxes.
All
the relief goods will be sent to former HK Filcom leader and Bagong Bayani
recipient Joseph Bautista, said to be the current chief of the Coast Guard in
Batangas. Those who want to send donations directly to him may also do so
through this address:
CAPT JOSEPH L BAUTISTA
PCGA
Director, 502nd Squadron CGADSTL
Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog Headquarters
Port Area, Sta Clara, Batangas City, Philippines
Director, 502nd Squadron CGADSTL
Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog Headquarters
Port Area, Sta Clara, Batangas City, Philippines
An
online group made up mostly of newly arrived OFWs in Hong Kong, the Domestic
Workers Corner, has also begun soliciting donations for casualties of the
eruption.
The
fund drive was begun by the group’s founder Rodelia Villar, after several DWC members
who hail from the affected areas posted photos of the devastation in their hometowns, along with appeals
for prayers.
DWC
is asking for cash donations to be sent through WeChat, TNG and Alipay, which
in turn will be sent directly to one of its administrators, Jazzy, who will
take charge of buying the needed relief goods so they can be sent immediately
to the victims. Those who wish to help may check out the announcement on their
Facebook page: DWC Help Group.
---
I-try mo ito, Kabayan: Kung interesado kang ma-contact ang mga advertiser namin dito, pindutin lang ang kanilang ad, at lalabas ang auto-dialer. Pindutin ulit upang tumawag. Hindi na kailangang pindutin ang mga numero.
