Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom have launched campaigns to collect donations in cash and kind for typhoon victims in the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Cebu and Iloilo in the Philippines.

“We Filipinos in the Kingdom are much luckier than our compatriots in the typhoon-hit areas. Let’s share whatever we can to help them,” said Resty Sibug, adviser and former president of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, Central Region in Saudi Arabia.

The group had held last Friday a golf tournament at Dirab Club to raise funds. Members of the club too donated SR2,900. Members and tournament participants gave used clothes, canned goods and blankets to the Philippine Red Cross. It will hold another event at a local hotel in the Saudi capital on Nov. 29.

The Samahan ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino sa Gassim (SAMPIGA) or Association of Filipino Workers in Qassim, also kicked off its own campaign in Buraidah, Al-Qassim.

“During the meeting, the members agreed to make donations. We have collected an amount and will continue the campaign for another one or two weeks before sending it to the Philippines,” said Dionisio B. Tabuco Jr., an engineer and the group president.

The SAMPIGA has been a consistent donor during disasters in the Philippines besides helping any needy OFW in Qassim Region.

In Al-Khobar, the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association (ELTA) raised over a million saudi riyal in donation.

“We have raised SR1,400 so far. I hope that fellow Filipinos in the Kingdom also help our hapless compatriots in the Visayan island,” said Florante M. Catanus, ELTA immediate past president.

The OFW Congress-Al Khobar Chapter is holding its own campaign to reach out to the typhoon victims, according to George Palencia, vice president for economic affairs. The group will hold a concert, Passion and Music for a Cause, at the International Philippine School in Al-Khobar on Nov. 29.

“Whatever donations we raise — in cash or kind — will be sent to the Philippine Red Cross. Donated items such as clothing, canned goods and blankets will be sent free of charge through LBC Cargo,” he said.

In Jeddah, the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) has sent SR12,000 to the Philippine Red Cross for the typhoon victims.

“Our campaign to raise funds continues since we feel that every Filipino in a position to help should share whatever donation he or she can afford,” Rom T. Viado, PICPA immediate past president said.