VARIOUS groups in Pangasinan, including the provincial government, the Catholic Church and from the private sector, have quickly organized to send assistance to victims of the tragic Yolanda typhoon.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) during its regular session on November 11, has allocated P4 million from its calamity fund to be shared equally by the Leyte’s provincial government and the city government of Tacloban.
Governor Amado Espino Jr., while noting that Pangasinan itself has a well-established disaster risk reduction system, said the magnitude of Yolanda could not have prepared anyone for such a calamity.

“Kung talagang ganun kalakas, wala kang magagawa,” he said.
Two weeks ago, the Pangasinan government also gave a P2-million aid to the province of Bohol following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that damaged the province.

ARCHDIOCESE ANNIVERSARY

In Dagupan, the City Museum has been designated as a drop-off point for relief goods that will be sent to the affected areas.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) office at the Astrodome Building in Tapuac District, Dagupan City is also accepting donations for its “Yolanda” relief drive in partnership with Pilipinas Natin.

Meanwhile, the scheduled Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese’s musical concert in celebration of its golden anniversary on November 12, several days after the typhoon struck, became a fundraising activity in part for the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte and Archdiocese of Borongan in Samar whose churches have been ruined.

The concert was originally intended to raise funds solely for the Theology seminar in Pangasinan.

Priests, seminarians, nuns and members of the laity performed varied song and dance numbers that illustrated the 50-year history of the archdiocese for the jam-packed audience at the CSI Stadia in Dagupan.

At the opening of the show, Archbishop Socrates Villegas said while the archdiocese is celebrating its golden anniversary, “our celebration is tainted with sorrow but we are united with them in their grief” and led the people in a solemn minute of silent prayer for those who died in the tragedy and those who survived and are now dealing with the difficult aftermath.

The show was concluded with the performers and the audience singing together Icthus, a song written by Villegas with music by Ryan Cayabyab, as the statue of the Blessed Virgin of Manaoag was carried slowly on stage by seminarians.

MARUBENI

From the private sector, Marubeni Corporation of Japan pledged to donate some P6.5 million (15 million Japanese Yen) to support the relief efforts in the Visayas region.

Earlier, Marubeni, 50 percent owner of the San Roque Power Corporation that operates the San Roque Dam in San Manuel town and Team Energy’s Sual Power Thermal Plant in Sual town, donated P1 million to the relief efforts on the earthquake in Bohol.–Eva Visperas and Johanne R. Macob

CAST-STRAPPED DAGUPAN ALSO GIVING AID

EVEN with its own financial burdens, the Dagupan local government seeks to spare at least P500,000 to help those affected by typhoon Yolanda, particularly those in Tacloban City.

City Budget Officer Luz de Guzman, upon instruction from Mayor Belen Fernandez, was directed to review an source available funds that can be diverted to as financial assistance to the on-going relief operations in the Visayas.

“Fortunately, we found that we still have some money left from the calamity fund  which  can be used for this purpose ,” said  De Guzman,
City Auditor Virgilio Quinto already gave the nod to give out the P500,000 subject to a resolution endorsing the donation duly approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Meanwhile, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Ronald de Guzman announced that the city government is accepting donations in kind.

Relief goods can be brought to the City Museum where staff from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will organize the goods.

Acting CSWD chief Leah Aquino said some used clothing have already been brought in by residents.

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