A collective group of civic organizations and individuals prepared donations for transport to the earthquake victims in Davao and Cotabato provinces.
The group called “Team CDO,” has been calling for donations and help since the first week of November after the successive earthquakes that devastated the south-central areas of Mindanao.
“What started out as a casual Facebook chat to consolidate ‘small individual helps for the quake victims’ is now turning into a full-blown relief operations in the hard-hit areas in Mindanao,” said John Asuncion, who is one of the main conveners of the group.
Asuncion, who is also co-manager of Dragon Boat Kagay-an, partnered with the Go Bong Go Movement and was able to consolidate volunteers and relief goods. This led to the collection of at least 60 sacks of rice, 600 six-gallon water containers, 1,500 bottled water, 15 rolls of tarpaulin, 900 packs of assorted grocery items, medicines, dozens of used clothing and rolls of ropes and GI wires.
The relief goods will be brought by a big truck while volunteers will be transported by a bus to be provided by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) headed by Regional Director Allan Guro.
They will be divided into four teams namely: kitchen crew (who will prepare freshly cooked meals for the victims), tent assistants (who will improve the current living conditions of the victims and install big community tents), water boys (who will fill up and distribute at least 11,000 liters of water) and entertainment crew (who will prepare fun games for children).
Cash donations were received from Sultan Aminoden Diampuan Guro and family, 88 Diverse Quest Inc., Dr. Victoria Ilagan-Espelita, Princess UK, Bryan & Hazel Rusiana, Engr. Rowell Magalang and his wife and Cristina Hinlo.
Organizations, institutions, companies and informal groups joining the distribution of donations are LTFRB-10, Chinese community of Cagayan de Oro, Court of Appeals-Mindanao, He&Sons Corp., Balay Mindanao, Bing Go, TAA Farm, the Department of Health, Engr. Almarco Brito and family, BUPHARCO, Yamaha Riders Club Mindanao, St. Mary’s School, ACCERT, HEART, Rapid Riders Dragon Boat Team, Brave Heart Dragon Boat Team, Liceo Dragonoids, CGY Oro Dragons, Ateneo Blue Dragons, and Rainbow Dragons.
Also joining “Team CDO” is the consolidated group of 23 independent Filipino-Chinese Clubs in Misamis Oriental, known as The Filipino Chinese Community of Cagayan de Oro.
It is said to be the first time the dominating and conservative Filipino-Chinese community is joining other groups for a noble cause, he said.
Asuncion said: “They hope their combined efforts will make an impact in uplifting the lives of the earthquake victims. They are very excited about this”.
“Please visit the FB page of Dragon Boat Kagay-an for updates and donations. Drop off centers are provided. The CDO Team will leave early morning of November 14. To God be the Glory!” he said. (PNA)
