By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO, Illinois (JGLi) -- U.S Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) said Tuesday (Sept. 29) “the United States stands with our friends in the Philippines, China, and Vietnam as they work to help the survivors.  I want to thank everyone who has pitched in to help our friends recover from this terrible disaster.”

In a Senate floor speech, Senator Akaka said, “As I speak, rescuers are searching for any remaining survivors. Family members are mourning lost loved ones. Millions of Filipinos across the country are struggling to find clean water, food, medicine, and shelter.

“I commend the United States Embassy in Manila for pledging financial aid to help the Philippine government get life-saving necessities to people living in emergency shelters.

“I am proud and honored by the work of members of the United States armed services based in the Philippines. Their important mission is to provide counter-terrorism training, but in the face of disaster, our troops have heroically conducted a number of life-saving rescues.  Now they are helping to distribute supplies.

“I also thank UNICEF for its large pledge of financial support.”

He said a number of organizations have stepped up to help in Hawaii.  The Filipino Community Center, the United Filipino Council of Hawaii, and the Philippine Consulate General of Honolulu are among the organizations raising funds. "I am encouraged by all those offering assistance in Hawaii and across the nation." 

Tropical Storm Ketsana (codenamed locally as Ondoy) struck the Philippines Saturday near Manila, disaster causing massive flooding across the island nation. News footage shows people being swept away by raging torrents, stranded on rooftops without supplies, or wading through waist-high flood water. 

Mr. Akaka quoted the Associated Press that at least 284 people in the Philippines are confirmed dead, and nearly half-a-million people have lost their homes.  As I speak, rescuers are searching for any remaining survivors. Family members are mourning lost loved ones. Millions of Filipinos across the country are struggling to find clean water, food, medicine and shelter.

M eanwhile, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago would like to inform the public and concerned Overseas Filipinos in the Midwest that the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila issued on Sunday (September 27) a circular to Philippine embassies and consulates general on the mechanics of processing of donations from foreign sources, according to the guidelines of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), specifically Administrative Order No. 53, series of 2003 (Omnibus Guidelines in the Management and Processing of Donations) (http://www.dswd.gov.ph/images/articles/AO53.pdf).

It was disclosed that the following are the bank accounts to which voluntary cash donations for Typhoon Ondoy victims may be remitted:

A.            National Disaster Coordinating Center (NDCC)

NDCC Donated Funds

Current Account (Philippine Peso) #0-00149-435-3

(Swift Code:  DBPHPHMM Account #36002016)

Development Bank of the Philippines

Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo Branch

Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City

Philippines

                NDCC updates can be accessed via www.ndcc.gov.ph

B.             Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

Contact Persons:   Imee Rose Castillo  /  Rey Martija

Tel. Nos.:  (632) 931-8101 loc. 506 & 507 /  (632) 9517119

C.             Philippine National Red Cross

For donations to be acknowledged, please fax bank transaction slips to (632) 525-5654 or (632) 404-0979 with donor’s name, address and contact numbers.

Guidelines for on-line donations may be accessed via www.redcross.org.ph

Other queries and donations may be referred to the following agencies:

A.            NDCC (Relief Goods/Rehabilitation Equipment)

Maj. General Glenn J. Rabonza

NDCC Administrator

Attn:  Engr. Florentino Sison

         Deputy Chief, Operations Division

Tel. Nos.:  (632) 912-5979 / (632) 912-2665

Fax Nos.:  (632) 911-1873, 911-1406, 912-5668, 912-0984

B.             Department of Health (Medicines and/or Medical and Humanitarian Missions)

Dr. Virginia Ala

Chief, Bureau of International Health Cooperation

                Department of Health

                Attn:  Ms. Noni Balbino

                             Chief, Technical Division

                Tel. No.:  (632) 781-2843

                Fax No. (632) 781-8843

C.                                     DSWD (Relief Goods)

For other inquiries on donation to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy, interested and concerned parties/donors may contact the Consulate (Attn: Deputy Consul General Orontes V. Castro) at tel. no. (312) 332-6458 ext. 15; fax no. (312) 332-3657; or through the Consulate’s e-mail address at www.chicagopcg.com or the following other e-mail addresses:  www.dswd,gov.ph or www.ndcc.gov.ph.

(Readers may contact the writer at lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net) # # #