Obama condoles with RP storm victims

CHICAGO – President Barack Obama expressed on Tuesday his “deep condolences for the loss of life and devastation caused by recent storms in the Philippines, particularly tropical storm Ketsana (Ondoy)." According to a White House statement, Obama, speaking on behalf of the American people, said, “Michelle and I feel great sorrow over the hundreds of people who have died from the storms and resulting flooding and the hundreds of thousands more who have been displaced." He said, “In the spirit of our long history of friendship and cooperation with the Philippines, the United States has been assisting the people of the Philippines. “Our military forces and civilian agencies have supported local Philippine efforts by distributing relief supplies and helped in rescuing victims from inundated areas of Manila. “As part of this effort, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has so far allocated $1.8 million to respond to the disaster. As a longstanding friend and partner of the Philippines, we stand ready to continue our cooperation and assistance in the coming days." Obama becomes the highest U.S. government official to issue a statement on the typhoon victims after US Senator Daniel K. Akaka (HI-D) delivered a speech last week on the US Senate floor, encouraging “everyone in our community to do what they can to help those suffering from this terrible disaster." Senator Akaka added, “Survivors are now struggling to find clean drinking water, food, medicine, and shelter." No taxes for typhoon donations Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate in the Midwest cautioned Filipinos who plan to send used clothing for relief purposes, saying such are banned. Consul Roberto Bernardo also warned that misdeclared or undeclared shipments of food and clothing will automatically be seized by the Bureau of Customs and turned over to the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Bernardo issued the clarification after being told that the Bureau of Customs in Manila “is holding hostage the relief goods sent from abroad unless a ‘tax’ is paid." “There are reasons why the BOC could tax the goods, such as they may have been misdeclared unintentionally, or lack the authenticated deed of donations, or clearances. Also, by virtue of R.A. 4653, used clothing are banned," Bernardo said. He said, “questions regarding the donations of relief goods and rehabilitation equipment may be directly addressed to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), while medicines should be addressed to the Department of Health (DOH) and relief goods to DSWD." An e-mail letter being circulated online observed that there re many other angry private and religious groups right now at Customs demanding the release of the relief goods and denouncing the fees. “It's such a downer that in times of crisis, even the best of intentions by Filipinos are still subjected to corruption by the government," the e-mail said. Another e-mail was asking for “current or corrected information with regard to this tax imposition in the Philippines" for “international, national and local network." Finance Secretary Margarito Teves has clarified that foreign and overseas Filipino donors and recipient organizations are not charged any taxes and duties for their relief donations as long as they are accredited and registered with the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD). “Please inform us right away if anybody from the Bureau of Customs asked for any tax and duty payment on these imported relief goods from any organization," he said in a statement. GMANews.TV