Pinoys in UAE to raise funds for 'Pedring' victims in PHL

Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have begun organizing a fund drive to help victims of Typhoon "Pedring" (international name: Nesat) in the Philippines. According to a report of Gulf News, the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (Filcom-DNE) is securing a permit from the Red Crescent for the fund drive. Filcom-DNE vice president Matilyn Bagunu told Gulf News that their group will not be accepting donations in kind because of the logistical issues they encountered during relief operations for the victims of tropical cyclone "Ondoy" (international name: Ketsana) in 2009. Filcom-DNE said it will announce the proper donation channels once the necessary permits have been secured. Typhoon "Pedring" The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from Typhoon "Pedring" rose to 35 on Thursday morning while the damage to property went up to P1.147 billion. The NDRRMC said 34 were reported injured while 45 were still missing. The NDRRMC said "Pedring" affected 103,852 families (or 489,849 people) in 952 villages in 31 provinces. The damage to property was estimated at P1,147,455,810.90, including: