WHILE attending the IMF-World Bank meetings in Istanbul, together with BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, Director Eve Villa and Director Thomas Marcelo, we received this short note from Director Fe de la Cruz of BSP’s Corporate Office.

Director De La Cruz coordinated the efforts of BSP employees in packing and later distributing relief goods to help alleviate the sufferings of some of Ondoy’s victims.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Director De la Cruz reported that last Friday afternoon, the BSP team brought relief goods to Kabisig Elementary School at the floodway area in Cainta.

The BSP team consisted of Deputy Director Roberto Syquia, Lizette Ocampo, Carmi Yamat, Simon Aganan, Jason Raval and six security personnel headed by Sesando Villarba. They brought with them seven vehicles loaded with bags of food and other relief items.

The Kabisig Elementary School housed 436 families or more than 2,000 people. Each classroom, which on school days accommodated 45 to 50 pupils, provided temporary shelter to about 25 families each.

Mayor Mon Ilagan and wife Veron arranged for the BSP team to be assisted by DSWD social workers, Leonor de Guzman, Nemia Aguran and
Evelyn Relente and additional escorts led by AFP Lieutenant Ronaldo
Biscocho.

The operations were relatively orderly. It really helped that the school principal Vesta Macatangay, who practically never left the school premises in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy, and the social workers earlier distributed claim stubs signed by the principal for each registered family.

Coming home late Friday evening, a tired and hungry volunteer, Carwmi Yamat, said: “It felt good to help nearly 500 families cramped in the Kabisig Elementary School in the Cainta floodway area by bringing relief goods from BSP. It was very fulfilling to bring hope and draw smiles from the evacuees. It was well worth the risk of getting stranded by floods or the approaching Typhoon Pepeng.”

Since charity begins at home, the BSP relief team distributed, the day before, goods to outsourced janitors, gardeners, as well as employee-victims as identified by the BSP employee association.

Goods will later be distributed to the BSP-Gawad Kalinga Village in Tatalon, Quezon City which was earlier reported to be under 16 feet of water.

Director De La Cruz, meanwhile, reported the difficulty in sourcing BSP’s requirements for relief goods. Because of unexpectedly huge demand, Shopwise reportedly took three days to fill BSP’s initial order. Director De la Cruz reported, however, that the SM Group, BSP’s partner in its Tulong Barya project, promised to complete BSP’s requirements as soon as possible.

BSP Governor Tetangco earlier earmarked P1 million, which was later increased to P2 million, for the purchase of emergency supplies.

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It might be helpful to reproduce hereunder these reminders issued by the BSP Crisis Management Office headed by Director Tony Grageda.

“Ensure contact lines are open. Charge mobile phones.

Before leaving the office, be sure to:

- Unplug all electronic equipment and/or electrical devices/appliances;
- Close all windows;
- Secure office documents and equipment.

At home:

- Stay indoors and listen to the latest TV/radio update.
- If house is located in flood-prone areas, seek higher ground or go to evacuation areas.
-Store potable water, food, batteries, cooking fuel, etc.
-In case of power failure, turn off and unplug all appliances.

In case of flooding, turn off the main switch, gas and water valve.”

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