Pinoys in Belgium were deeply shocked and devastated as typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila and most part of Luzon affecting more than two million people.

Brussels Chaplain Rev. Fr. Raymund Gaspar, together with the Filipino community, offered a mass for the victims of the calamity.
 
“Let us pray for the souls of those who died in the tragedy.  Let us also hope that those who are trapped in the flood will be rescued as soon as possible,” he said during the mass.

He also added, “I appeal to everyone to give whatever you can to help those who are in need.”

Filcom sends donations
Mas Gala of the Legion of Mary immediately confirmed their group’s commitment to send cash donations to the Philippines.

“Nag usap-usap kami kaya by next week magpapadala kami kahit kaunting pera kahit magkano, 500 or 400 so we will send that immediately,” she stated.

Religious leader Ning Gooris also pledged her support for Filipinos affected by the typhoon.

“Sa ngayon, bilang kababayan na talagang lumilingap sa kanila, narito kami at handang tumulong, handang tumulong na sa pamamagitan ng pinansyal na naipon namin ay makatulong sa mga kababayang nabiktima ng bagyong Ondoy,” she said.

Even Honorary Consul Tony Guansing mentioned in a phone interview that the Filipino Community in Antwerp will organize fund-raising projects to help alleviate the plight of Filipinos affected by the tragedy.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Cristina Ortega has already issued a circular letter as a response to numerous inquiries on donations from OFWs.

On the other hand, some Filipinos have called on the government to come up with a long term plan to address the problem.

“Sana gumawa sila ng something to solve this kind of problem kasi yearly na lang ganyan, may sakunang ganyan. Pag tag-ulan na saka lang sila gumagawa ng paraan. Dapat before nun, gumawa na sila ng long term solution,” said Edward Perez of El Shaddai St. Remi chapter.