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Thursday, March 30, 2006
Globe, Innove assist Leyte mudslide victims
Communication played a crucial role in the search and rescue and relief efforts for the victims of a mudslide in Liloan and St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. Through it, the survivors and relatives received a sense of calm and assurance that help was coming from all over the country and even from other Asian countries and the United States.
In response to the immediate need to connect those from Southern Leyte to their relatives and friends in other places, Globe Telecom, Innove Communications and Globelines did not waste any second to set up a free call center in the search and rescue operation centers in the affected areas.
The Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Group (Crag) led by Atty. Rodolfo A. Salalima immediately sent a team to Southern Leyte to set up the phone booths. As early as 10 a.m. the next day (Feb. 18), the Globe Telecom Task Force Libreng Tawag was already in full operation and made available for landline and mobile calls.
“When we arrived in the area, it was so sad and gloomy. We could not even afford to smile as people were still in shock,” Breme Yu, Globe Telecom Bizwork Territorial manager in Southern Leyte, Leyte and Biliran said.
“There was no time to think of our own safety as we responded to the call for help because we knew there were so many people, who needed to contact their families and relatives,” she said.
Southern Leyte Gov. Rosette Lerias informed Globe Telecom’s Ramon Escaño about the need for tents, body bags, sardines, bottled water, biscuits, noodles and other canned goods. Escaño said they immediately requested their employees and other generous individuals and groups to gather the requested items.
Globe Telecom External Affairs Head Jerry Yntig said they coordinated with the Cebu City Government and Jaycees to gather the donations for shipment to Southern Leyte.
“The whole experience of helping was so unforgettable as it fed our souls. Even the hugs and never-ending thank you’s of the survivors and evacuees were so heart-warming,” Yu said. She added that with tragedies like the mudslide, Filipinos and foreigners were again united to help those in need.
To enable generous individuals to donate through text, Globe and Touch Mobile launched the Helpleyte text drive last month and raised money for the landslide stricken Southern Leyte.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 30, 2006 issue)
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