The Good News
In our aggressive, social-media driven campaign that lasted less than 48 hours, Philippine Aid managed to generate a total of $6,647.51 in PayPal donations. You may have noticed that the ChipIn Event we used to monitor our progress has ended. This is due to the fact that PayPal has flagged our account and required us to submit a letter of subordination from the Philippine National Red Cross as means of verifying our intentions. I am personally meeting with the board of my local Philippine National Red Cross chapter (Rizal, the chapter spearheading the relief efforts in areas most affected by tropical storm Ondoy) tomorrow morning and they shall, with great pride and gratitude, furnish me with a letter of subordination.

The Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter Administrator, Mrs. Repollo was ecstatic to hear about the success of the campaign and profusely thanks everyone for their donations.

The mission to rebuild the nation is far from over though and as such, more than ever, we wish to encourage everyone to keep the donations coming and keep spreading the word. I have replaced the ChipIn widget we used prior with that of our friends’ over at Txtpower.org. Who has a similar initiative going; we are all working for the same cause.

We have begun the process of withdrawing what we have collected so far into our local bank account and, as stated, we will be depositing managers checks in batches into the Philippine National Red Cross’ bank account.

With the current conversion rates, less PayPal fees, you and PhilippineAid.com have generated PhP 307,362.25–money that will go a long way in helping in the ongoing relief and rebuilding operations.

Our friends over at Txtpower.org report collections of over PhP P1,217,188.96. These are very hard and trying times for the Philippines and the victims of Ondoy but, on the brighter side of things, the donations collected so far is a huge victory for the international community and Filipinos all over the world who have exhibited tremendous altruism with the help of the internet particularly Social Media.

The Philippine National Red Cross recognizes this as I hear word that they too have officially started using PayPal to collect donations. I am in the process of getting their account details so I could update the widgets on this site and so you could directly send your donations to them.

Also, Philippineaid.com has gotten a lot of praise lately; praises which we take reluctantly because the people who are truly worthy of praise are the donors and supporters of this site who have made everything possible. You are all heroes in your own right.

The Bad News

The bad news is that as the flood waters subside, we get a grim, more accurate picture of the devastation Ondoy has caused the Philippines. As of 3PM of September 29, 2009, the National Disaster Coordinating Council estimates PhP 4.6 Billion worth of damages in its damage assessment. (link)

The death toll has also reached 246 people and is rising. There are also over 101,000 families taking refuge in various evacuation centers nationwide.

Friends, the battle is far from over. Along with the relief operations there is some major rebuilding needed to be done. People lost lives and property and we, as a community, should NOT let up as our donations are needed now more than ever.

Send your donations using the widgets below:

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