Bandar Seri Begawan - The Philippine Embassy said yesterday it has received more relief goods as the Philippine ambassador reiterated his appreciation to those who have expressed their sympathy, condolences, and concerns for the victims of Typhoons Ketsana and Parma in the Philippines.

The Filipino Association in Brunei's (FAB) executive committee led by its President Dan Roxas turned over last Tuesday to Ambassador Alexander B Yano $1,000 cash (around US$725) donated by PYP Holdings Sdn Bhd food and toys from FAB; and three cartons of used clothing from Tinkerball Learning School.

FAB had also directly arranged with Forex Cargo Sdn Bhd to ship by sea its donations in kind to the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region in Mandaluyong City. These shall be part of the cargo company's shipment leaving Brunei on Nov 27.

As the embassy's complimentary shipment services for donations in kind have already been fully utilised, donors are requested to make their own arrangements for transporting these donations to the Philippines, it was learned.

To date, cash donations from Brunei have reached $36,023.32 (around US$26,104), including cash remitted by Brunei-based donors directly to relief agencies in the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy said.

Also present during the donation presentation were Minister Celeste Balatbat and Consul General Raymond Balatbat, Labour Attache Dr Elizabeth Recio, Edil Bartholomew, Tinkerbell Learning School principal, and students, FAB officers and Forex Cargo representatives.

"The embassy especially appreciates the voluntary donations in cash and in kind coming from the Filipino community, the Bruneians, and expatriates in the host country," said Ambassador Yano.

"Other individuals have taken the initiative to collect and send donations directly to beneficiaries in the Philippines. Some have even done so anonymously. These contributions are no less important and likewise welcomed by the Philippines," he said.

He thanked the Brunei government for its offer of assistance, as conveyed by Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohammad Yasmin bin Hj Umar, Deputy Minister of Defence, and subsequent initiative to establish a fund for victims of the typhoons in the Philippines and the earthquake in Indonesia.

"We have been liaising with Datin Hajah Adina bte Othman, the Director of the Department of Community Development, Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, and concurrently Head of the Secretariat for the National Committee for the Indonesian Earthquake and Philippine Storm. We thank Datin for her advice and guidance on how the Brunei government is working with the general public in facilitating cash donations to these victims."

He lauded the assistance of sea freight companies - Forex Cargo Sdn Bhd, LBC Mabuhay Brunei Sdn Bhd, Makati Express, and Urdan Express Services Sdn Bhd and Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) in transporting the donated goods to the Philippines.

The embassy offers to facilitate documentation for donations consigned to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

For cash donations, the embassy's Tropical Storm Ondoy Relief Fund in Baiduri Bank is being maintained until Nov 30, 2009. The embassy said it shall, however, continue to welcome cash donations, and assist donors in remitting the cash to the agencies spearheading the relief efforts even after this date.

For other inquiries, call the Philippine Embassy in Brunei at (+673) 223 8845, 2241465, or 2241466; or fax to 223 7707; or e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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