After heart-wrenching videos of people trapped on their rooftops and appealing for rescue amid the rising floodwaters in Isabela and Cagayan went viral on social media, Ilonggos from all walks of life quickly initiated massive relief efforts to help the survivors.
Iloilo City government initiated its own donation drive for the victims of the floods in Luzon.
Mayor Jerry Treñas has created a committee over the weekend composed of officials from the city government, particularly Francis Cruz, Donna Magno, Lucy Sinay, and Terry Gelogo, to head the donation drive.
“Iloilo City will accept donations of goods and others for the victims of the floods at the NCR and Cagayan and Isabela. Mabulig kita sa mga affectado ta nga mga utod,” Treñas announced on his social media page on Sunday.
Interested donors may contact the following: Francis Cruz – 09190665555; Donna Magno – 09985393283; Lucy Sinay – 09178923571; and Terry Gelogo – 09477348559.
The mayor said all donations will be coursed through the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD)-6 for transportation to the affected areas.
Other Ilonggo sectors and organizations such as SK Iloilo Chapter, SK Iloilo Province, Archdiocese of Jaro, Girl Scouts of the Philippines Iloilo Chapter, and University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) also initiated their own relief efforts to aid the typhoon-hit Cagayan, Isabela and other areas in NCR.
Non-government organization Junior Chamber International (JCI) Iloilo Ilang-Ilang spearheaded “Gugma Ilongga para sa Cagayan” to generate donations for the victims of flooding in Cagayan.
As of 2:29 p.m. Sunday, the group has gathered P45,486.50 in cash donations. For interested donors, you may contact the Facebook page of JCI Iloilo Ilang-Ilang or call 09173057744.
Top-Ilonggo designer Jun-g Bayona Candelario, who created the red gown worn by Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo during her homecoming on Saturday, also announced in his Facebook account that the gown is up for bidding.
Candelario said all proceeds will be donated to those affected by Typhoon Ulysses and Rolly in Luzon.
Over the weekend, hashtags #CagayanNeedsHelp #IsabelaNeedsHelp #TuguegaraoNeedsHelp trended on social media following calls to rescue thousands of people trapped on their homes scrambling for help amid the increasing floodwaters in Isabela and Cagayan provinces.
The two provinces experienced heavy rains caused by Typhoon Rolly and an enhanced monsoon. (ERS)
