‘Ondoy’ victims get help from presidential aspirants

Presidential aspirants have joined the hordes of organizations and individuals extending assistance to the thousands of people affected by tropical storm “Ondoy." Senator Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party said 1,300 flood victims have been rescued after his office sent out 31 large trucks to affected areas in Metro Manila and Cainta and Antipolo in Rizal. Some of the rescued typhoon victims were brought to evacuation centers in SM Centerpoint, San Beda, UST, Central Colleges of the Philippines and Jose Rizal University, Villar said in a statement. “We’re coordinating with other government agencies and are making our large trucks and other vehicles available to help in the delivery of food to flood victims," he said, adding that their vehicles are on standby to help deliver food rations and donations from relief centers to affected areas.

Villar’s crisis center at the Worldwide Corporate Center in Mandaluyong can be reached at 0917-4226800, 0917-2414864 and 0927-6751981. From the Liberal Party, standard bearer Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III and Manuel “Mar" Roxas II have launched Operation Tulong Bayan, urging supporters and volunteers to bring their donations to the following centers: * In Cubao: Balay, Expo Centro Filipino, EDSA corner General McArthur St., Araneta Center. Former Seafood Market, inside the parking lot fronting farmers market. Hotlines are 9137122, 9136254, and 9133306. Also contact Manilyn at 09086579998 and Jenn at 09393633436 * In Makati City: 2314 Pasong Tamo Ext. (Dasma side) between Cantinetta and Makati Faith Chistian School. You may call 7108804, or Rosanna at 0917-8305053 and Cris at 09178435137 In a statement, Aquino said funds from the “Piso-piso para Kay Noynoy" would be used to buy relief goods for the victims of “Ondoy." The fund was initially intended for his campaign. Senator Loren Legarda, meanwhile, said in an advisory that starting Monday her office would be offering free calls for affected families and those who wish to contact their relatives abroad. Legarda is one of those being eyed by the Nationalist People’s Coalition as its standard bearer, along with Senator Francis Escudero. Her Public Assistance Center at the Senate may be reached at (02) 833-1434 through Belinda Onse. Other presidential aspirants have not been as vocal about their contribution to victims of “Ondoy." “President Erap declines interviews with respect to his relief operations kasi (because) he does not want it tainted with politicking, he wants to do it quietly," said Margaux Salcedo, spokesperson of former President Joseph Estrada, in a phone interview with GMANews.TV. The deposed president has earlier said he might run for president if the opposition does not unite behind one candidate. The administration’s presidential bet, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., has been leading coordination and rescue and relief efforts in his capacity as concurrent head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). According to the NDCC's report as of 7 p.m. Monday, a total of 86 people have died while 32 others were reported missing due "Ondoy." - GMANews.TV