Far Eastern University Central Student Organization’s (FEUCSO) executive board initiated ‘Tulong Tamaraw,’ a donation drive for victims of Typhoon Kristine in the Bicol Region with proceeds going to non-government organization Angat Buhay.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, FEUCSO Auditor Raezon Gonzales shared that they accept non-perishable donations, that will be donated through Angat Buhay.

“‘Yung donations naman kasi na in-a-accept namin ay (The donations we are accepting are) non-perishable goods. We are planning to do it [the donations] by batch... As long as we have gathered sufficient amount of donations,” he said.

Monetary and in-kind donations are also accepted. 

Gonzales stated that the initiative led by FEUCSO was posted in their personal accounts to gather donations as soon as possible.

Furthermore, he expressed that seeing the effects of the typhoon prompted the organization to conduct the drive for the communities in need.

“We have really seen ‘yung effects ng (the effects of the) typhoon... It is really part of our initiative to have donation drives to immerse in communities, not just inside school,” he mentioned.

Moreover, the FEUCSO auditor highlighted the need for the government’s proactiveness during calamities and disasters in the country, observed over the past years.

“Lagi lang kikilos [‘yung gobyerno] kapag nararanasan na ‘yung mismong concern or problem (The government only takes action once the concern or problem is already being experienced). It is better for the government to really be proactive and to foresee what is gonna happen if there are disasters like this to plan effectively… Prevention is really better than cure,” he said.

Donations will be accepted as long as needed, given there is no specific information regarding the duration of the typhoon and its effects.

In-kind donations can be dropped off at The One Residences Padre Campa in Sampaloc Manila while the monetary donations can be sent via GCash at 09664725091 or through Maya at 09457139425.

As of October 25, FEUCSO collected a total of P6,324.36 worth of monetary donations.

According to reports, around 2,077,643 people, equivalent to 431,738 families, were affected by Typhoon Kristine.

Following the announcements of the national and local government units of Manila and Makati, face-to-face and online classes in both FEU Manila and Makati have been suspended since Wednesday until today, October 25. 

- Cassandra Luis De Leon
(Photo by Aleena Louise Abad/FEU Advocate; Photo courtesy of Christmer Roland Ordanes Facebook account)