Senate employees raise funds for typhoon victims

Senate employees have banded together to answer the call of Senate Secretary Oscar G. Yabes to help in relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, which recently devastated many parts of the Visayas, Bicol and MIMAROPA region.

"I would like to appeal to the kind and generous hearts of Senate Secretariat officers and staff to help in the relief efforts," Yabes said, directing the Senate's External Affairs and Relations Office to mobilize relief operations on the heels of what experts say to be the strongest typhoon in the world.

According to Yabes, a total of P307, 550 which were raised as of 2:20P.M., Wednesday afternoon, will be turned over to the Philippine National Red Cross, together with other relief goods such as food, water and clothing.

"The situation calls for a lot of prayers and help for our countrymen in that area, and help should be immediate. The situation in Tacloban and Samar, the most badly hit areas, is desperate, and I am asking everyone to give all that they can to help alleviate the lives of our countrymen in order to save them from starvation and possible death," Yabes continued.

Senators' staff from at least 10 Senators has also been busy repacking goods to send over to the devastated areas.

Meanwhile, 110 Senate employees are also scheduled to help in the repacking of relief goods at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Resource Operations Office (NROC) along Chapel Road in Pasay City.

"I am asking everyone to raise funds or to raise relief goods so that we can give to the people of Tacloban and other areas, including Samar, who badly needs our help. Let us not just give, let us give until it hurts," Yabes said.