SUPPORT for victims of typhoon Ondoy coming from Negros Occidental is snowballing as the Confederation of Sugar Producers’ Associations, Inc. (Confed) tasked its members to solicit assistance.

Confed national president Federico Locsin III coordinated with the Office of Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri in giving assistance to thousands of families affected by the recent onslaught of Ondoy.

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In Negros Occidental, Confed trustee Bernardo Trebol quickly secured 1,000 Lkg bags (50 kilo bags) of sugar from various mills to send to Metro Manila as part of their initial support.

Confed Negros-Panay Chapter chairman Reynaldo Bantug said they will act as conduit and drop-off point for additional relief goods that concerned Negrenses will extend to typhoon victims.

“While we pray and thank the Lord for sparing our province from this calamity, let us not forget to extend a helping hand to those in need,” Bantug said, as he urged sugar planters to start mobilizing their own sugar associations to give additional aid to affected residents of Metro Manila and some parts in Luzon.

Bantug underscored the greater work needed in the rehabilitation and healing of the country, adding “this is the time for us to unite and live up to our pride as Filipinos.”

Confed said donations will be received in their office located at Door No. four, Lioc Kui Fraternity Building, Sixth St., Bacolod City.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra also appealed for help, saying "our brothers and sisters need all the immediate help we can give, especially cash, food, water, and medicines.”

"I appeal to your usual generosity to give with heartfelt willingness what you can to alleviate the misfortunes the (typhoon) victims are experiencing," Navarra said in a letter dated September 28.

You may course through all donations through Caritas Bacolod at the Social Action Center, Diocese of Bacolod or call 434-4978 or 433-3310.

The Silay City Government also launched “Operation Bulig sang Silaynon” under the Office of Mayor Jose Montelibano.

The task force is headed by the Social Welfare and Development Office under Emilea Villavicencio, in coordination with Armin Paredes of the city’s Community Affairs Division and Joserito Lapuos of Red Cross- Silay.

Other groups to help the task force are the Silay Federation of Market Vendors’ Association, Parish of San Diego, Department of Education, Kansilay Lions’ Club, Rotary Club of Silay, Planters’ Group, and the Liga ng mga Barangay.

Montelibano said the task force is accepting financial assistance, prime commodities and used clothing in three drop-off points – the Civic Center (Tourism Office), City Hall lobby, and DSWD Office.

Also supporting the City Government are the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, business, and religious sectors.

The joint undertaking of the Bacolod City Government, the private sector, and other entities in the city billed as "Bulig sang Bacolod" also started receiving donations.

Social Welfare officer Consuelo Yaun of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) said almost seven individuals in the City of Bacolod and one from the municipality of Murcia delivered their donations to the old City Hall.

She said most of the donations received were used clothing, noting that the Bantay-Bata ABS-CBN 163 delivered 28 sacks of used clothing and 40 bags of refined sugar donations coming from the people of Bacolod.

The "Bulig sang Bacolod" accepts donations from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the old City Hall, with fund raising being led by DSSD personnel, executive assistant Butch Ebreo, and personnel from the PAAD Office who assist in receiving the donations.

Yaun said repacking of donations already started.

Cash donations were coursed through the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya and BDO account number 5630020111 (ABS-CBN Foundation).

She said cash donations may also be deposited with the City Treasurer’s Office at the ground floor of the New Government Center.

"Bulig sang Bacolod" hotlines are 435-1111 and 708-0816.