Capiz to donate rice to Mindanao quake victims

By: Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The provincial government of Capiz will donate 500 sacks of rice to earthquake victims in Mindanao.

Vice Gov. James Mitang Magbanua said he proposed the plan to Gov. Esteban Evan Nonoy Contreras.

Mabanua said the rice will be purchased from the National Food Authority (NFA) and will be taken by local governments of Mindanao from NFA facilities there.

Last November 6, Contreras donated his one month salary during his 50th birthday celebration.

The initiative, dubbed “Kabalaka sang Capiz sa Mindanao,” placed water gallons as donation boxes at the Provincial Capitol, government offices and schools, among others, as drop off points of the Capiceños financial help.

“Looking at the images of destruction and death, our humanity calls upon us to act and help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. We cannot just watch them. It is now time to pay it forward,” said Contreras.

Contreras, who drew inspiration from the outpouring support by local and international donors in the aftermath of supertyphoon Yolanda devastation in the province on November 8, 2013, said it’s time to also show the Capiceños’ empathy and generosity to Mindanao earthquake victims.

A “Tindog Capiz” campaign was then launched particularly in the recovery and reconstruction phase to ease up the build-back-better recovery efforts in the province which generated overwhelming support from various international agencies, government offices, local government units, non-government organizations and individuals.