WITH more Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) still wanting to extend their helping hand to their kababayans adversely affected by the Taal eruption, BDO Remit has extended its free remittance campaign on cash donations sent until June 30, 2020.
As of Jan. 31, 2020, BDO Remit collected more than P600,000 in cash donations from overseas Filipinos remitted to different accredited foundations. Bulk of these came from the United States, Japan and the Middle East.
The cash donations collected by BDO Remit offices abroad were then coursed through different foundations namely BDO Foundation, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc., GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc. and the Philippine Red Cross.
Genie Gloria, senior vice president and head of remittance of BDO, said inquiries and requests to extend the campaign are pouring in from different Filipinos communities abroad.
“There are still those who want to donate. With this extension, at least they can still catch up and avail themselves of the free remittance fee when they donate to the Taal victims,” Gloria said.
Gloria further said: “Even though the coronavirus outbreak has grabbed everybody’s attention now, the fact of the matter is the problems caused by the Taal eruption are still present. It’s still a long time before they fully recover. If we tell Filipinos abroad that their donations are free (of fees), they are more encouraged to donate, thus, the more people we can help.”
The remittance free campaign on cash donations to Taal victims started last Jan. 14. It will be in effect originally until March 31, 2020.
Gloria explained that Filipinos’ inherent bayanihan spirit, wherever they may be, shines through in times like these.
“Filipinos abroad are always willing to help. When calamity strikes back home, they are always willing to assist because they feel that’s their way of paying back for the blessings that they have received (of being able to work abroad),” she said.
This complements the advocacy of BDO Remit to waive the remittance fees whenever the country is beleaguered by natural calamities.
Aside from the different BDO Remit offices, the Bank’s global remit partners are also receiving cash donations for the benefit of the Taal eruption victims, including Remitly, Small World, WorldRemit, Azimo, United Arab Emirates Exchange Centre and Xpress Money. Regular remittance charges apply.
OFWs can also visit BDO Kabayan’s Facebook page to know more about this campaign.
Earlier, BDO’s remittance office in Barcelona, Spain had organized a donation drive for distressed victims of the Taal eruption by putting up drop-off boxes for Filipinos who want to donate in kind.
Officers and staff of BDO Remit Spain also visited Filipino communities in Barcelona, including Filipino Asian stores, restaurants, medical providers, clinics, freight forwarders, travel agencies and grocery stores to promote their donation campaign.
These donation boxes will then be delivered to BDO’s corporate social responsibility arm—BDO Foundation—for distribution to affected areas. Filipinos living in Barcelona are mostly from Batangas and Cavite, areas that continue to bear the brunt of the volcanic eruption. (S)