Pinoy-Israeli community sends initial P35,000 for 'Sendong' victims

Filipinos and Israelis in Israel have chipped in an initial $807 (P35,112) for victims in the Philippines of tropical storm "Sendong" (international name: Washi), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday.   The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv initially remitted the amount last Dec. 20 to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) bank account at the Land Bank of the Philippines.   "Embassy Chargé d' Affaires Ferdinand Flores said the amount humbly represents the voluntary contributions from Philippine Embassy personnel, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA), Filipino workers and concerned Israeli citizens," it said.   Flores said the "small gesture" symbolizes the Filipino trait of bayanihan, which calls for unity and compassion, "most especially in times of danger and calamity."   He added the Filipino Community in Israel was saddened upon learning that a thousand lives were lost in a blink of an eye.   On the other hand, Flores said the Filipino community in Israel is undertaking other initiatives for the victims.   "We have received reports of other initiatives being undertaken by the Filipino community in Israel and we will continue to monitor these activities.  The Embassy has disseminated information on how and where to remit the collected funds by the community and we will always be available and ready to provide advice on how to proceed with remittances," he said.   Meanwhile, Flores said monetary donations from interested parties could also be sent to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).