Pacquiao to visit Iloilo and Bacolod, donate P3M for 'Frank' victims

MANILA, Philippines - World Boxing Council lightweight champion Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao will visit Western Visayas on Thursday and donate P3 million to victims of typhoon "Frank" in the region. Radio dzRH reported late Wednesday that Bacolod City officials have declared July 17 "Manny Pacquiao Day" in time for his visit. The report said Amateur Boxing Association of General Santos City president and Pacquiao adviser Rey Golingan confirmed that the boxing champ is giving P3 million to Western Visayan victims of "Frank." Golingan said this includes P1.5 million for Iloilo City, P1 million for Bacolod City, and P500,000 for Aklan province. Online news site Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) reported that Pacquiao is set to arrive around 7 a.m. in Iloilo, and will proceed to Jaro Cathedral where he will meet with Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo and attend Mass. He will then distribute relief goods to typhoon victims at the compound of the Jaro Cathedral, according to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas. Pacquiao earlier promised to donate around P3 million, part of his earnings after he knocked out David Diaz last month, to typhoon victims. Treñas said the city will welcome the boxing champion and will provide security for his trip. "This is a big help for our residents not just materially but to boost their morale after the tragedy," he said. In Bacolod, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said they will give Pacquiao the "Bugal sang Bacolod" recognition on Thursday. Pacquiao received the "Dungganon nga Bacolodnon" during his last visit in 2006. After visiting Iloilo, Pacquiao is to take a helicopter ride to Bacolod City before 2 p.m. Upon his arrival in Bacolod City, Pacquiao will proceed to the Goldenfields Commercial Complex for the 3 p.m. parade around the city, he said. Leonardia said Pacquiao will be taking the same route he took when he last paraded in Bacolod on July 27, 2006. A simple program will follow at the Bacolod City Hall, which will be followed by a fireworks display to be sponsored by Robinson's Place Bacolod. Leonardia said Pacquiao told him that he is giving Bacolod P1 million out of the P3 million he has pledged for the victims of typhoon Frank in the country. "From the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Bacolod will receive the best pound-for-pound benefit," he said. He said Pacquiao has requested that each pack should contain 5 kilos of NFA rice, two cans of sardines, and two packs of noodles, he added. The Department of Social Services and Development has estimated that the P1 million will provide about 6,000 packages that will benefit 6,000 people of Bacolod, Leonardia said. He said they will still determine whether the goods will be distributed at the Bays Center or in strategic areas in the city. The mayor said he will also request the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod to pass a resolution thanking Pacquiao for donating P1 million for the typhoon victims of Bacolod City. Leonardia also clarified that this is the only time he has asked Pacquiao a favor. "I have not received a single centavo in terms of cash from Pacquiao until now. Of course, he gave us facilities and airfare tickets but never had it been in cash form," he said. - GMANews.TV