THOSE who wish to donate goods to earthquake victims in Mindanao are advised to check the expiration dates of their donations.
Johnel Espinosa of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office said they received donations of some 1,500 bottles of water from a company Thursday night, Nov. 7, 2019, only to find out that about 800 bottles will expire on Nov. 30. This might not be enough time for the Province to send the donation to Mindanao and to deliver to those needing them.
Of those given, over 700 bottles of water will expire next year.
Espinosa said it might take time for the donations to reach their intended recipients because of the need to ship them to Mindanao. So, to make sure victims of the recent series of earthquakes in Mindanao get to benefit from the donations, donors should check expiry dates of their items to make sure they will be good until next year.
"What we will do is we will donate these to fire survivors here instead since they are also in need of these bottles of water. These are still good for consumption, it's just that it might take time for the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) to deliver these bottles to Mindanao," Espinosa said in Cebuano.
The Province is coordinating with the PCG in Central Visayas for the shipment of donations.
As of Friday morning, Capitol has received P3,250 in cash donations and at least 10 boxes of assorted canned and instant food packs and toiletries.
Although they prefer food items, Espinosa said they also need tents or tarpaulins that will serve as temporary shelter. Hygiene kits, especially diapers for infants and toddlers, were also considered as priority needs.
Those who wish to help may drop off their donations at the basketball court located at the back of the Capitol building, near the exit gate.
As private donations have started to come in, local government units in Cebu have been handing out financial assistance to affected towns in Mindanao.
Cebu Vice Gov. Hilario Davide III will leave for Davao del Sur on Monday, Nov. 11, to turn over the P20 million in financial assistance from the Provincial Government.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said Davide will be taking the first flight to Davao del Sur on Monday to turn over the checks to the towns of Magsaysay, Matanao and Bansalan, and Digos City.
He will then proceed to North Cotabato to turn over the checks for the towns of Makilala, Tulunan and Magpet, and Kidapawan City.
“Since I have commitments here, I have kindly asked the vice governor to deliver the checks, and he has graciously agreed. Even though it is session day, he said this is more important because someone can substitute for him as (Provincial Board) presiding officer,” Garcia said.
On Mandaue City’s part, Mayor Jonas Cortes turned over P8 million to officials of Cotabato, one of those damaged during the earthquake. Cortes was accompanied by Councilors Andreo Icalina and Jun Arcilla to Cotabato.
Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza received the check.
Cortes and his group went on to Kidapawan City where he also gave a check for P2 million to Mayor Joseph Evangelista.
Other financial aid given by Mandaue City: P2 million for Makilala town in Cotabato; P1 million each Tulunan, Magpet and M’lang; P500,000 for President Roxas town and P250,000 each for Matalam and Kabacan towns. (RTF, KFD)