Ms Neria Soliman of Hassal Grove, Western Sydney announced that officers of the association Bicol Inc had deferred the earlier announced annual Christmas “Kaogmahan” and combined members birthday party 2013 in December and will donate at least $500 from its combined social fund and members’ pledges to Filipino kababayans afflicted by the super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) in the Visayas region.
Ms Soliman has appealed further to Bicol Inc members to donate more, either in cash or needed goods, contacting their repective Bicol regional coordinators in the association.
Ms Soliman said cash proceeds of the Bicol Inc appeal will be remitted directly to the Benedictine nuns of the Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City, the area worst hit by Typhoon Yolanda.
Meanwhile Sydney financial journalist and community broadcaster Ms Michele Baltazar was thankful for the result of the 48-hour fund appeal she started online and among the Philippines community and her circle of friend started Monday this week.
Ms Baltazar said she has sent the amount of $2,000 to her “people on the ground in Ormoc City and Southern Leyte Wednesday morning towards food, drinks, hydration tabs, paracetamol and candles and matches.”
Ms Baltazar said her 48-hour appeal has collected $5,000 cash donations and $43,000 worth of medicines
to be airfreighted immediately towards the victims.