MANILA - Since it began Sagip Kapamilya Relief operations last Sunday, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) has received more than P100 million worth of donations for the victims of tropical storm Ondoy. And the numbers are increasing as donations continue to pour from both local and international sources.

The donations are in kind and in cash, according to Sherwin Hinlo, senior resource mobilization officer for Bantay Kalikasan, one of the groups under AFI that have been mobilized to help.

As of 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, an estimated P134.6 million in aid is being used to assist victims in affected communities from Novaliches in Quezon City to as far as Batangas province.

Hinlo told abs-cbnNEWS.com that the group has received P53 million worth of in-kind donations, ranging from clothes to blankets to food and potable water. In addition, P49 million worth of in-kind pledges have yet to be collected by the group.

“If you want to donate, better if food, clothing, and medicines,” Hinlo explained. They recommend food that is easy to cook and ready to eat like noodles and biscuits.

Actual cash donations have reached P5.6 million, with P53 million cash pledges yet to be collected.

Distance to the Philippines is not a problem for overseas donors as the AFI has also been receiving cash donations from Filipinos from around the world.

Volunteers

There’s no dull moment in the JUSMAG headquarters in Sct. Bayoran, a site AFI temporarily uses to accept donations. Early on Tuesday, the ABS-CBN warehouse in Examiner St. was already filled with donated goods.

Some volunteers could not hide their excitement when Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars such as Asi Taulava helped in packing delivered goods.

Aside from celebrity visitors, Hinlo said there is a constant line of volunteers waiting to be listed outside the heardquarters.

“We schedule them [volunteers] batch per batch. Majority, especially the students, help in packing while we include some older ones during the dispatch,” he said.

Hinlo said there is no age requirement for volunteers but they recommend “physically-fit” individuals.

Since Sunday, the AFI has already delivered goods to various locations. The group doesn’t just go to flooded areas. Hinlo said they dispatch teams depending on calls for assistance. They then verify with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) the number of families affected.

Donations

Overseas donations can be sent to AFI:

·         Call 1-800-527-2820 or log on to www.abscbnfoundation.com

·         BDO Account No: 563-0020111 ABS-CBN Foundation Inc
          Routing Code: BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

·         BPI Account No: 3051-1127-75 ABS-CBN Foundation Inc
          Routing Code: BOPIPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

AFI Hotlines: (02) 394-2503 / 394-7109 / 394-2579 / 394-2527

DZMM Hotline: (02) 412-1173 / 416-6300 / 924-2615

Examiner warehouse: (02) 394-2509

In-kind donations can be brought to JUSMAG headquarters in Sct. Bayoran beside Alex III in Quezon City.