#Bangon Sugbohol Movement launched Cebu business groups raise funds for earthquake victims

CEBU, Philippines - Key business organizations in Cebu are initiating a unified campaign dubbed as #Bangon Sugbohol Movement to help raise funds to aid victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu and most parts of Bohol last October 15, 2013.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Cebu Business Club will hold a benefit concert on Sunday, October 20 at the Ayala Center Terraces, from four in afternoon to eight in the evening.

Key organizers of the upcoming benefit concert had a meeting yesterday to encourage more companies, individuals, institutions to give their donations, and pledges during the event in order to pool together the needed help for Bohol.

The #Bangon SugBohol Movement is a collective effort of concerned individuals, institutions and non-profit organizations to help victims of earthquake in the island province of Bohol.

Bohol, known to be the "partner" of Cebu in trade and commerce, tourism and other industries, is seen to experience difficult times, with plunging economy, while its main driver, tourism is threatened by the broken infrastructure, and accessibility problem.

CCCI vice president for membership Melanie Ng said in an interview yesterday that the fund raising concert was just conceptualized over a lunch meeting yesterday with the business leaders, and other multi-sectoral organizations.

"Although we lament over what happened to the historical churches, let us not forget that what is most important to highlight in these trying times is the need to bring as much help as we can for the victims of the earthquake. More people out there need water, food, and medicines," said business leader and tourism prime mover Jay P. Aldeguer.

According to Aldeguer the #Bangon SugBohol Movement is also an advocacy, established by the Islands Souvenirs Group, to inspire people to rise up.

"Yes, we've been set-backed but we can re-build again," Aldeguer said in an interview yesterday.

He said the upcoming benefit concert on Sunday, is just a beginning of more events to happen in the next few days under the advocacy.

In the meantime, Aldeguer said the unified private sector in Cebu will focus on helping the two main concerns in the province, which is the lack of food and water, and accessibility.

"It's re-assuring to see efforts from all over the world. A lot of companies and key organizations have signed up to support the movement. The concert is the just the beginning," he reiterated.

He said everyday is a different call. As of this moment, the focus on the movement is to provide the basic necessities for the affected Boholanos, and getting transportation facilities to bring the goods to the province.

So far, the movement has gotten support from shipping companies. Now, he said they are also encouraging companies and individuals who have choppers to support in order to bring the goods faster. /JOB (FREEMAN)