US, EU lead assistance drive for flood victims

THE United States government and the European Union have committed to provide financial and humanitarian aid to the Philippines following the onslaught of torrential rains and massive floods brought by the southwest monsoon.

In a statement, the US embassy in Manila said it will provide $100,000 (P4.3 million) worth of financial assistance to support the government’s disaster relief efforts.

"On behalf of the US government and the American people, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to those who are displaced and who have lost homes and livelihoods due to the floods," said US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.

He said the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) will conduct an initial damage assessment in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces to determine the extent of damage caused by flooding and determine immediate needs within the affected communities.

The EU delegation to the Philippines, on the other hand, expressed its sympathy to more than 800,000 families affected by nonstop monsoon rains in the capital and neighboring regions.

Same with the US, the EU has tapped a local humanitarian aid expert to assess the damage caused by the heavy rains and to determine possible assistance for the affected population.

23 rubber boats, P1M from the PBA

To aid rescue operations, Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon posted in his Twitter account that they are turning over 23 confiscated rubber boats to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The seized items were illegally brought into the country through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as the owner failed to comply with the requirements.

Biazon, a former lawmaker who pushed for the creation of the NDRMMC in 2010, left the discretion to the council where to deploy the donated boats.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), meanwhile, will be donating P1 million either through the NDRRMC or the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

A parallel amount of P1 million will also come from the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation Inc. as part of the PBA's overall effort to reach out to the calamity victims, according to Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes. Talk 'N Text is owned by Pangilinan.

Other than food and clothes, the players' personal donation have now reached P150,000 with more pledges coming as the league promised to take part in any activity that will help alleviate the situation of flood victims.

Bobby Barreiro, chief operating officer of ABC-5/AKTV, is reportedly working out a relief operation program that would involve PBA players and team and league officials. (Virgil Lopez/JCV/FP/Sunnex)