Senate extends help to victims of Typhoon Frank

After initiating the OFW Helpline that caters to the needs of overseas Filipino workers in distress, Senate President Manny Villar today started "Tulong Kapwa," a project, which aims to generate resources to help victims of Typhoon Frank.

"The latest typhoon, which spawned floods and caused suffering to many of our kababayan especially in Region 6 and also caused the sinking of a ferry with more than 700 people, require the gathering of support from all fronts," Villar said.

Before leaving to accompany his daughter, Camille, who will study in London, Villar has directed the setting up of donation boxes in strategic places in the Senate to encourage help for the victims of Typhoon Frank.

A memorandum was also sent to Senate offices encouraging Senate employees and officers to support "Tulong Kapwa."

The Senate President also waived his salary as senator for one year, estimated to be more than P330,000, to be put up as seed money of the project. The initial amount will be used to buy tents, blankets, rice, canned goods, noodles and bottled water.

"The Senate as the institution most trusted by the people, should play an active role in the cause of easing the misfortune of those afflicted by natural disasters," Villar added.

Reports say Typhoon Frank, the sixth weather disturbance to hit the country this year, left at least 155 people dead. It also submerged most of Iloilo province and capsized MV Princess of the Stars carrying more than 700 people off Sibuyan island.

Villar has been in the forefront of relief operations in typhoon-stricken areas in the country. Recently, he distributed relief goods in Iloilo and Pangasinan. He has also opened OFW Helpline 0917-4226800 for donations to "Tulong Kapwa."

After his brief stay in London, the Nacionalista Party (NP) President is set to meet with Filipino communities in Europe with Sen. Alan Cayetano, NP secretary-general, to drum up support for his two projects-- OFW Helpline and Tulong Kapwa.