JEDDAH, 30 August 2004 — In another show of the bayanihan spirit that Filipinos are known for, a civic organization, a cargo forwarder, and two Filipino schools in Jeddah have teamed up to send almost 500 kilograms of relief goods to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).
Clothes, kitchen utensils, beddings, toys and books for children packed in several boxes were on their way to Manila on Saturday even before the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) appealed for relief assistance to victims of last week’s widespread flooding in the northern Philippines.
“ This is our own small of extending help to those affected by recent typhoons at home. Our main goal, however, is to keep the bayanihan (helping one another) spirit alive not just in times of tragedies or calamities,” said Primo Sarmiento, president of the Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah (BBSJ).
BBSJ’s partners in the project are the Al Hekma International School community, the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ), and Merex Forwarders.
Al Hekma’s students, parents, faculty, staff and officials actually began their campaign last year and managed to collect about 300 kilograms of assorted goods.
IPSJ students also began collecting donations last year and soon came up with some 80 kilograms of used clothes and toys.
Due to logistical constraints, however, the collections from both schools got stranded. Balitang Middle East correspondent Charles Tabbu took custody of the goods and later linked up with the BBSJ after learning that the group was about to send its own collection of more than 100 kilograms to the Red Cross.
“I’m sure the PNRC will be more than willing to receive any donation and support that come their way at anytime. Our indigent compatriots will benefit from this endeavor,” said Marlon Lim of Merex Forwarders, the company which made it possible for the collections from the BBSJ, Al Hekma and IPSJ students to reach the Philippines.
Marc Mercado, general manager of Merex Forwarders with head office in Riyadh, sponsored the shipment of the cargo.
“I am elated to see that children at their tender age have that great enthusiasm to help out and share their blessings,” said Belma Regis, principal of Al Hekma International School in an informal conversation with Arab News.
Last year, the Guhit Pinoy Foundation also initiated the relief collection drive with full support and resources extended by students, parents and faculty and staff of the IPSJ.
The staff of Saudi Arabian Drug Store Co. Ltd. headed by Ricardo Sape donated boxes of used clothing collected from his colleagues.
Al-Hekma, along with several other schools in Riyadh and the Eastern Province, in cooperation with Arab News and other media practitioners, had previously sent cash and goodies to the Red Cross since the PNRC first sent a plea for donations in mid-2002.
Other civic, sports and professional organizations and individuals have also responded by sending their own collections to the PNRC.
Most of those who have responded said the PNRC is worth supporting because of its long track record of providing assistance to all Filipinos stricken by calamity, regardless of ethnic, religious, or age.
A non-government organization affiliated with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the PNRC is involved in rescue and relief assistance to victims of disasters and fighting.
With branches in almost all provinces of the Philippines, from Batanes in the north to Tawi-Tawi in the south, it is always among the first to respond and the last to pull out in times of emergencies.