Former vice president Leni Robredo’s non-government organization (NGO) Angat Buhay on Wednesday, Nov. 2, said it raised some P8 million in cash and in-kind donations to help the communities ravaged by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” over the weekend.
The amount helped provide relief goods, hygiene kits, medicines, and hot meals to some 10,120 families.
On its Facebook page, as reposted by the former official, Angat Buhay said its partner, Tanging Yaman Foundation, received 3,217,191.36 in cash donations three days after it made the call.
It also collected P5 million worth of food and non-food items “mobilized by our volunteer groups.”
The figure posted was as of Wednesday, Nov. 2, but the organization will continue accepting donations until Nov. 9.
“Dahil sa ating #AngatBayanihan, nakapag-abot na tayo ng tulong sa 10,120 pamilyang apektado ng bagyong #PaengPH sa buong Pilipinas (Because of our #AngatBayanihan, we extended help to 10,120 families affected by Typhoon #PaengPH in the whole Philippines),” the post read as Robredo’s foundation also thanked its donors, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Despite being at Harvard University as one of its Hauser Leaders for Fall Semester 2022, Robredo gave updates through Facebook live and via posts on her official social media accounts.
She also took the time to thank Angat Buhay’s volunteer groups from all over the country as they had been leading the repacking and distribution of goods to the victims of Paeng in each community.
Raffy Magno, Angat Buhay executive director, said in a Teleradyo interview that the organization is exploring the possibility of extending livelihood support to the affected communities.
He also clarified that politics is far from the motivation of Angat Buhay and its volunteers.
"We’re a non-government organization. Our resources will never be at par with the resources of the government, so we’re not in the business of competing with them. We're here to augment, fill in the gaps, at . . . kung ano ‘yung kailangan ng ating mga kababayan (and the needs of our fellowmen)," Magno added.
Paeng caused landslides and flash floods in many parts of the country as massive flooding also caused the death of some 121 people, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.