'Yolanda' survivors rush to aid 'Nona' victims

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) –- Donations are now pouring in for victims of typhoon "Nona" in northern Samar as different organizations, government agencies and private groups are stepping up efforts to extend their helping hands.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes spearheaded a call for “bayanihan” as they leave on Thursday for Allen and Catarman towns in Northern Samar. She called on friends, colleagues and industry partners to donate for the distribution of Christmas packs.

The activity will be done along with DOT’s post-disaster assessment.

The Christmas packs, according to Tiopes, will include gift pack for kids with schools bags, learning supplies and goodies. Family packs with basic home items, which are not usually given during relief operations will be given to victims as well.

With the successful drive, Tiopes thanked donors for the “care and concern” given to the people in typhoon-ravaged province.

The group behind The Tacloban for Northern Samar Relief Operations also made the Rotary Club office as their drop off points for medicines, food, water and clothing.

Transport of relief goods is being coordinated by Tzu Chi Foundation and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Members of Tingog Sinirangan headed by Jude Acidre and the district office staff of Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez also started packing relief goods to be distributed to the victims of typhoon "Nona" in the northern part of the region.

It was learned from Acidre that on Dec. 15, two-first responder teams were quickly dispatched to distribute food items and conduct a rapid ground assessment in Northern Samar.

More people from Tacloban City are using social media networking sites in requesting help for the victims of typhoon, using the "Yolanda" experience as basis to share their blessings especially that Christmas is near.

Tacloban City Councilor Jerry Uy is also sending relief goods to Northern Samar soon.

Uy is personally supervising his staff in packing relief goods, composed of rice, noodles and canned goods.

“I also appeal to Tacloban residents is to help the people of Northern Samar since we are the ones who really know how it feels to be victims of calamity. It’s payback time,” Uy said.

The official recalled that people in Northern Samar, through their provincial government headed by Gov. Jose Ong, was one of the first to send help to Tacloban after supertyphoon "Yolanda" struck in 2013. (PNA)
JMC/SQM/Lizbeth Ann A. Abella/egr