NCR police district heads pass hat for 'Sendong' survivors

Key Metro Manila regional police officials on Wednesday passed the hat for extra funds for the survivors of Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi). The heads of the five districts also brought at least three truckloads of relief goods for the victims, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported. The informal fund-raising among the district directors was held during their traditional courtesy call to Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima, the report said. However, the report did not say how much the five district directors gave during the impromptu fund-raising. On the other hand, the district directors brought relief goods that the report said could fill three 6x6 trucks. Sendong brought heavy rain that caused floods that devastated parts of Mindanao and Visayas in mid-December. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that as of Wednesday, "Sendong" had affected 114,228 families or 724,729 people in 804 villages in 57 towns and eight cities in 13 provinces. http://www.ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/358/NDRRMC%20Update%20SitRep%20No%2028%20re%20Effects%20of%20TS%20SENDONG%204%20JAN%202012.pdf At least 1,257 were confirmed dead while 98 remained missing. Damage to property was estimated at P1.384 billion. The NDRRMC said water-testing and treatment facilities have been set up in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities, two areas hit hardest by Sendong. Water treatment equipment had also been stationed at strategic areas in Cagayan de Oro, it said. Also, the NDRRMC said the Australian Agency for International Development provided assistance through the Philippine Red Cross and Community and Family Services International (CFSI): - P12.70 million (AUD300,000) worth of pre-positioned non-food items such as sleeping mats, mosquito nets, hygiene kits and cooking sets, distributed to 5,000 families in Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City and Bukidnon - P31.70 million (AUD750,000) for temporary and transitional shelter and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) - P10.60 million (AUD250,000) through CFSI for psycho-social support to survivors. — LBG, GMA News