Butuanons urged to assist CDO folk

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. has appealed to all Butuanons around the world, especially the subscribers of [email protected] and [email protected], to send relief goods or cash donations to his office at the Butuan City Hall for distribution to flood victims in neighboring Cagayan de Oro City.

“We are calling on all Butuanons to help alleviate the suffering of our unfortunate brothers and sisters in Cagayan de Oro who have been directly hit by tropical storm ‘Sendong.’ Let us show that we are with them in their hour of need,” Amante said.

While Sendong pummeled Cagayan de Oro to its knees with more than 820 dead, 482 reported missing, and some 35,000 huddled in evacuation centers, Butuan, which is just a few kilometers northeast of the city, experienced only occasional rains and cloudy skies and was miraculously spared.

Butuan is known to be the flood capital of northeastern Mindanao. In previous typhoons in the Caraga region, the city would always bear the brunt and account for the most number of affected folk.

This time around, Butuanons braced early for Sendong’s fury but they were lucky they only had intermittent rain.

“We have mobilized the mayor’s office to accept donations for the flood victims, including bottled water, canned goods, noodles, medicine, clothes, blankets, rice and cash… All donations will be officially acknowledged, receipted and accounted for,” Amante said.

Amante also asked Butuanons to e-mail or text their love and holiday cheers to their friends and acquaintances in Cagayan de Oro.

“Let us keep the Christmas spirit alive in our hearts and in all of northeastern Mindanao, despite the tragedy and destruction brought upon us by Sendong,” he said.