A Special Report by Bobby Manasan of Virginia

 

 

Joanne Zapanta-Andrada is a member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). Today, she sent an urgent appeal for help. The appeal was coursed through this writer, who is a contributor of this website.

 

Ms. Andrada is requesting donations to help the victims and survivors of the worst natural calamity to hit Metro Manila.

 

The PNRC reports that yesterday’s typhoon was the worst natural disaster brought about by rain in the history of Metro Manila. A month's worth of rain fell in one day. So many people (most of them children) drowned and countless others have lost their homes and belongings. To make matters worse, although PNRC officials knew where the people were, the Red Cross was not able to go to them because the roads were absolutely impassable. Surrounding provinces (including Pampanga) have also been affected.

 

Ms. Andrada requests that Filipino Americans donate to the Red Cross as they go about helping the indigent bury their dead, serve food and clean water and clothe the victims and help them rebuild their homes.

 

Dollar donations can be made to: Metro Bank (dollar acct) 151-2-151-00218-2 The account is in the name of the Philippine National Red Cross.

 

Editor’s Note: Upon receipt of Bobby Manasan’s e-mail, the Mabuhayradio.com forwarded it to Chairman Bing de la Vega of the Philippine Disaster Relief Organization (PeDRO), Inc., of Los Angeles, California, for coordination purposes.

 

The PNRC website has the following updates on the storm:

 

PNRC deploys WASAR teams to Cainta and Marikina

September 27, 2009

 

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) today deployed three (3) Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Teams to rescue the stranded commuters and affected families due to heavy rains caused by tropical storm Ondoy, the PNRC Operation Center reported.

 

WASAR teams of PNRC National Headquarters were deployed in Providence Village, Cainta and in Marikina which were greatly affected by flooding.

 

In a report of Leo Ebajo from WASAR Team 1, 40 persons were rescued near R. PAPA LRT Station who were stranded because of heavy flow of water in the area.

 

“Rescue operation here is still in progress. As of now, around 40 stranded persons were already rescued,” Ebajo reported through a text message sent to PNRC Operation Center.

 

The PNRC is now accepting donations through the following ways:

 

Through SMS and GCASH type red<space>amount then send to 2899 or 4483

 

Through bank deposits:

METROBANK

Account name: The PNRC

Peso account: 1513041631228

Dollar account: 1512151002182

Type of account : savings

Swift code: mbtc ph mm

 

BPI PORT AREA BRANCH

Account name: The PNRC

Peso account: 4991001099

Type of account: current

 

BPI UNITED NATIONS BRANCH

Account name: The PNRC

Dollar account: 8114003094

Type of account: savings

Swift code: bopi ph mm

 

http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Home.aspx?ID=I,1469,P,-1&ShowID=703&SS=P 

 

Tropical Storm "Ondoy" continues to loom as it moves to Central Luzon

September 27, 2009

 

Tropical Storm “Ondoy” has accelerated further as it moves closer to Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near center and gustiness of up to 100 kilometer per hour, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Operation Center reported.

 

In a report of PNRC Catanduanes, Aurora and Isabela Chapters to PNRC Chairman Richard Gordon, these provinces are experiencing light to moderate rains. However, all trips in sea ports bound for Albay and other areas in Catanduanes were cancelled for safety precautionary measures.

 

In Camarines Norte, PNRC Camarines Norte Chapter reported that the province is experiencing medium to heavy rain with no flooding incidents reported. Stranded passengers in various seaports already returned to their hometown/residences.

 

On the other hand, in Albay, PNRC Albay chapter reported that there were 286 stranded passengers at the Tabaco Port who are being assisted by port authorities and shipping companies.

 

According to the Provincial Office of Catanduanes and the Tabaco ports authority, they are ready to help and sustain the needs of the stranded passengers for one week. Staff and volunteers of PNRC Catanduanes chapter are on standby to give assistance to the stranded passengers.

 

In Marikina, around 114 families were evacuated in Malanday Elementary School and Bautista Elementary School due to heavy rains which caused flooding in the area. Staff and volunteers from PNRC Rizal Chapter and PNRC Marikina Branch are at the evacuation centers to distribute relief goods.

 

Meanwhile, PNRC Chairman Senator Richard Gordon enjoined Red Cross staff and volunteers in affected areas to continue monitoring and to be ready to give assistance 24/7.

 

“I enjoined Red Cross staff and volunteers from all the affected areas to continue monitoring and report to the PNRC Operation Center any untoward incident to their areas. Chapter Disaster Response Team should be on standby and volunteers in high risk areas should be advised to monitor 24/7,” said Gordon.

 

Meanwhile, PNRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang commended the effort exerted by Red Cross chapters nationwide for their immediate action and preparedness on Typhoon Ondoy.

 

“This is a proof that we can not doubt the efforts and services given by our volunteers and staff to all Red Cross chapters nationwide. As we work together, we can give humanitarian service to Filipinos with immediacy and efficiency,” said Pang.

 

Public Storm Weather Signal number 2 is raised in La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Northern Quezon, Polillo Island, Camarines Norte and Rizal while Signal number 1 is raised in Isabela, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Marinduque, Mindoro Provinces, Lubang Island, Southern Quezon, Camarines Sur, Albay, Burias Island and Metro Manila.

 

This disturbance is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and bring rains over Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas. Residents living in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes in areas affected by the Southwest Monsoon and those under signals #1 and #2 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

 

http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Home.aspx?ID=I,1469,P,-1&SS=P&ShowID=702 

 

 * * * * *

 

An Update from former BOI Gov. Ben Sanchez:

 

My dear Stateside Friends,

 

September 26 marked the worst flood ever to hit Metro Manila.  Worst hit were Quezon City, Marikina and Cainta due to the rush  of water overflowing the banks of rivers and creeks.  Floods reached all the way up to Pangasinan and in the south up to Batangas. In Pampanga, the towns of Arayat and Porac were heavily stricken being near a big dam that has overflowed.

 

In Marikina and Cainta, the floods were so overwhelming that residents  climbed up to their rooftops and are now lying in wait for rescue that may take long in coming.  The government rescue teams have to cover a vast area and can field less-motorized rubber boats and amphibian trucks than is  needed in this severe emergency.

 

Major highways leading to Manila are clogged with vehicles. Buses and cars coming from as far as Bicol arrived in the vicinity of Metro Manila in and are still stuck in the Southern Luzon Expressway [SLEX]. The same is true of the Northern Luzon Expressway. Shivering passengers are asking for badly-needed water and food. They have to stay in their vehicles overnight.

 

Please log on to inquirer.net for a complete coverage of the great flood and keep abreast of the wide-scale devastation and the fatalities it caused by going back to the Philippine Daily Inquirer's website, if possible, daily.

 

It is still raining in Metro Manila but, thank goodness, not as heavily as yesterday.

 

Yours ever,

Ben Sanchez