DAMMAM, 26 Sept. – Another Filipino organization in the Kingdom has joined the growing list of supporters of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).
The new recruit is the All Filipino Community and Sports Commission (Afcscom), an umbrella of at least 58 community groups in the Eastern Region, including three educational institutions, four professional associations, 23 civic-cultural or regional groups, and 28 sports organizations.
Newly elected overall chairman Andy Reyes urged all Afcscom members to extend help to the PNRC ‘s so that it can continue providing humanitarian support and relief operations to Filipinos affected by either natural or man-made calamities back home. "As civic-minded citizens, it is our duty to help our unfortunate kababayan who fall victim to unpredictable disasters in our country. We must also help our fellow OFWs, particularly those poor children who were recently deported from Malaysia," Reyes said.
Reyes, who is also the chairman of the Saudi Aramco Chess Group, made the appeal to all Afcscom member organizations during the opening ceremony of the First All Filipino Volleyball Tournament held last Friday at the Philippine School in Dammam (PSD). The event was a pet project of the Volleyball Enthusiasts of Eastern Province (VEEP).
The appeal to help PNRC was warmly received by the Afcscom groups together with the 13 teams participating in the tournament, of which six are composed of Filipino nurses from private hospitals in the Eastern Region.
VEEP President Edmond Nicolas said that they are providing boxes on the venue of the tournament where they can put their used clothings. Cash donations will be forwarded to Afcscom, according to Nicolas.
Reyes repeated the appeal later in the evening during the opening of the ANB Telemoney Basketball Tournament in Al-Hassa last Friday. He asked the Al-Hassa Sports Association (AHSA) led by its president Nemencio Julio to include in their program a "Support PNRC Drive" in whatever way they can by sending used clothes, canned goods or cash donations.
Flosefino Famarin, Afcscom district commissioner for Al-Hassa, said that "it is timely to extend help to PNRC for we can see and feel how hard is it for our countrymen to live in this time of crisis. We have to give whatever we can give."
Other member organizations also came forward to help Afcscom in its campaign. The United Muslims Association will contribute used clothings and old toys.
UMA president Mohammad Zain Ho told Arab News that his group’s objective is to help all Filipinos in times of need, whether they are in the Kingdom or in the Philippines.
"We cannot deny on helping particularly if we see the sad fate of our brothers and sisters in Southern Mindanao who are affected not only by calamities but the unending war between the government and the Muslim groups," Mohammad said.
Maripaz Sales, over-all chairman of the Movement to Help Eradicate Rape (Mother) in the Eastern Region, said that her group will surely support the PNRC cause.
"Everybody needs help and we are duty bound to help particularly the female sector. We know that there are a lot of mothers and single parents now being assisted by PNRC, particularly those deported from Malaysia," Sales said.
Bing Reambonanza, treasurer of the United Surigaonon Association and president of the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association, also suggested that besides for cash donations and clothing, the PNRC also needs blood donations.
However, OFWs can only donate blood by visiting their hometown hospital or local PNRC office when they go home for vacation.
"Blood is very important in saving the life of a dying person, and PNRC needs this kind of donation very badly" he said.
Abe Regalado, secretary of both Afcscom and the United Bicolanos, said that his group had already organized the collection of used clothing drive. He said that UB president George Palencia had spearheaded the PNRC drive last week.
The United Bicolanos had already made a name in the Eastern Region on humanitarian efforts by sending donations to the National Calamity Assistance Fund, both in Albay and Manila.
Afcscom will be having its general membership meeting and official turn-over ceremonies on Oct. 11 at the Park Hotel in Alkhobar.
The meeting will strengthen the unity of these community groups particularly on helping for a common cause.
Organized in 1996, the Afcscom was headed by talented past overall chairmen, namely Zosing Bool (1996), Manny Legayada (1997), Bert Javellana (1998), Ransam Pirote (1999), Sammy Perez (2000), and Lito Alpay (2001).
