Mar, Korina forgo reception, give P2.2M to flood victims

SEN. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and broadcaster Korina Sanchez yesterday turned over P2.2 million to six relief organizations for continued relief assistance to victims of Ondoy and Pepeng.

The amount was part of the P3 million the couple hid set aside for the reception after their wedding at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City on Oct. 27.

"Instead of spending for the reception at Araneta Coliseum as planned, Mar and I agreed to donate the amount set aside for it, to various charity organizations taking care of evacuees and victims of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng," Sanchez said.

The organizations were Caritas Philippines, P500,000; ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya, P500,000; GMA Kapuso Foundation, P500,000;

Philippine National Red Cross – National Blood Service, P250,000; Philippine National Red Cross, for the account of typhoon Ondoy, P250,000; Igan Foundation, P100,000 and ABS-CBN Foundation Kapamilya Shower Na Project, P100,000.

"Matagal nga naming pinlano ni Korina at pinaghandaan ang espesyal na araw na ito. Gusto sana namin na marami ang kasalo sa saya. Pero parang hindi tama na malaki ang gagastusin sa selebrasyon sa panahon ng kalamidad. Napakarami nating kababayan ang naghihirap ngayon – lubog sa tubig-baha. Pakikiramay at pagtulong na rin namin ito sa kanila," Roxas said.

At least 2,000 personalities from politics and show business are expected to attend the event.

Pag-IBIG Fund has released P6.3 billion to members affected by Ondoy and Pepeng since the agency started processing calamity loan applications last Sept. 28.

Vice President Noli de Castro, chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) Board of Trustees said as of yesterday the Pag-IBIG Fund has received 539,008 applications in the National Capital Region and Luzon, of which 367,405 have already been approved.

De Castro has earlier approved the release of an additional P3 billion over and above the P3 billion funding earmarked for Pag-IBIG’s calamity loan program.

The number of calamity loan applications the Fund receives on a daily basis is 12 times more than what the Fund attends to during normal situations.

The Fund received an average of 30,000 calamity loan applications daily in the aftermath of Ondoy and Pepeng.

To expedite processing, volunteers even from branches in Mindanao and the Visayas were tapped.

Under the Pag-IBIG calamity loan program, active Fund members who have paid at least 24 monthly contributions and who are residents of localities declared as calamity areas are qualified to apply.

Qualified Fund members can borrow up to 80% of their total accumulated savings. The loan has a five-month grace period and is payable in 24 months. Members with existing short-term loans with Pag-IBIG can also avail of the assistance. - Irma Isip


Source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/oct21/news7.htm