HAGATÑA – The Consulate General of the Philippines reported today that, according to the Department of Health, the number of fatalities and injuries brought about by typhoon Frank has now gone up to 361 and 166, respectively, while the latest situation report released by the National Disaster and Coordinating Council pegs the number of affected persons at 981,734 from 38 provinces.

            As rescue operations for the passengers of MV Princess of the Stars continue, relief operations for the survivors of the ill-fated vessel and for those displaced from their homes are on-going.  Humanitarian aid from various local and international organizations, and even foreign governments, are now being pooled together in order to address the needs of thousands of families now in evacuation centers and temporary shelters. 

            Since the start of the week, the Philippine Consulate General has received several inquiries from those interested to extend assistance to those affected by the typhoon.  A number of donations have likewise been sent to the Consulate and these will be forwarded to Philippine government agencies in charge of the rescue and relief operations, specifically the National Disaster and Coordinating Council, the Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

            To further facilitate the sending of these donations, the Consulate wishes to provide the public with the following information:

• Cash/cheque donations may be deposited directly to the bank accounts of the following agencies:

1. National Disaster Coordinating Council

 Bank    :           Development Bank of the Philippines, Aguinaldo Branch, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Acct Name:     NDCC Donated Fund

Acct No.:         0-00149-435-3

Swift Code:     DBPHPHMM Acct. No. 36002016

Type:               Current Account (Peso)

2. Philippine National Red Cross

      Bank    :           Metrobank, Port Area Branch, Anda Circle, Port Area, Manila.

Acct Name:     The Philippine National Red Cross

Acct No.:         151-3-041-63122-8-MBTC

Type:               Savings Account (Peso)

Bank    :           Bank of the Philippine Islands, Port Area Branch, Port Area, Manila

Acct Name:     The Philippine National Red Cross

Acct No.:         4991-0010-99

Type:               Current Account (Peso)

Bank    :           Metrobank, Port Area Branch, Anda Circle, Port Area, Manila.

Acct Name:     The Philippine National Red Cross

Acct No.:         151-2-151-00218-2

Swift Code:     MBTC PHMM

Type:               Dollar Account

Bank    :           Bank of the Philippine Islands, United Nations Branch, Ermita, Manila

Acct Name:     The Philippine National Red Cross

Acct No.:         8114-0030-94

Swift Code:     BOPIPHMM

Type:               Savings Account (Dollar)

 Please be advised that, for donations to be properly acknowledged by the PNRC, bank transaction slips should be sent through fax to (632) 525-5654 or (632) 404-0979 with the donor’s name, address and contact nos.

• Donations through credit cards can also be sent to the Philippine National Red Cross, by sending the following information to (632) 404-0979, attention to Ms. Charina Bognalbal:

a.      Name of card member

b.      Billing address

c.      Contact Numbers (landline and mobile)

d.      Credit Card Number

e.      Expiry Date

f.        CCV2/CVC2 (last three digits at the back of the credit card)

g.      Amount to be donated (in numbers and words)

• For those interested to conduct medical and humanitarian missions and/or to donate medicines, they may get in touch with the Department of Health’s Bureau of International Health Cooperation through the following persons:

a.      Ms. Noni Balbino, Chief, Technical Division

  (632) 781-2843; (632) 781-8843 (fax) 

b.      Dr. Carmencita Banato;  +639178455481 

c.      Dr. Arnel Rivera; +639283946756 

• For those interested to make donations in kind, they may wish to contact the Philippine Consulate through its telephone numbers (671) 646-4620/4630 and look for Ms. Syl Lopez de Leon for the procedures/guidelines. - END -