San Luis evacuees say ‘thank you’

MANILA, Philippines — The volunteers of Operation Damayan, Philstar Media Group’s humanitarian arm, embarked yesterday on the first of a series of relief operations for Taal evacuees in San Luis, Batangas. 

Prioritizing communities that had not been receiving much aid, Damayan teams led by STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte visited schools and barangay halls in the municipality, where tens of thousands of evacuees from neighboring towns have been stationed since the eruption of Taal Volcano on Jan. 12. Last Jan. 13, 

The STAR mobilized a quick-response fund drive, raising over P6.5 million in donations from corporate and individual donors wanting to help families whose lives face a lengthy disruption from Taal’s looming eruption. Evacuees lined up for beddings, water, hygiene kits, rice and canned goods, their endless stream of gratitude belying their uncertain future. 

Meanwhile, Damayan received P210,000 in new donations yesterday, including P100,000 from Link Energie Industries Co. Inc.; P75,000 from Frederick & Barbara Ong and family; P30,000 from Tradeton Corporation; and P5,000 from Joey Lee. 

“We hope that this donation will help our fellow Filipinos who were affected by the recent Taal eruption. Thanks and Godspeed,” Linkenergie Finance’s statement read. “I hope the funds will be of great help to the Taal victims,” donor Joey Lee added. 

Big or small, the donations have managed to put a smile on the faces of evacuees in San Luis, Batangas, who are only too grateful that help has finally come their way.