Ilonggos abroad unite to fight COVID-19

Ilonggos, particularly those abroad, united to help fight CoronaVirus Disease (COVID-19) in Iloilo City.

In two weeks, some 70 members of Facebook (FB) group “Ilonggo For One Another To Fight Covid-19” were able to pool P250,000.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas thanked the Ilonggos looking after their fellows as he received the assistance Monday.

The FB group has gathered its members, with some extending hundreds of dollars.

US-based Raynel Parreño stated “we formed this group so that we can help in any way our less-privileged brothers and sisters back in our beloved hometown of Iloilo.”

Parreño said even someone from New York, the epicenter of the virus, had managed to send donation. Some sent from Canada, Australia and Singapore. There were also anonymous donors.

He noted he started formulating the idea on messenger and was able to connect more members on FB.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t even know how to start, and if what would be the end of it. I just followed my instincts to try this without any idea how to work it out. My only vision and goal was to do something to help out in any way, if this would be successful to gather people,” Parreño said.

“Members gave from the heart. Some shared the plan to their friends. There is no big or small amount, anything that you have extra is good enough. All we need here is to unite. All these will be credited to Ilonggos overseas, though it’s not the credit that’s important, but the beneficiaries,” he added.

Parreño said he might not be technology-savvy enough, and asked his best friend TJ Ramos to create the FB group, and has since then successfully ran the online donation drive.

“I didn’t know going forward with everything if this would work out, so anyone who was good at organizing and facilitating was more than welcome to lead the way. Again there was no pressure, we help one another and we can get through this. God bless us all. Keep safe everyone!” he said.

 

‘THANK YOU’

Compassion has been pouring from people of all walks of life sharing their resources in boosting the battle to combat CoronaVirus Disease (COVID-19) in the City of Love.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas expressed gratitude to generous and benevolent benefactors helping feed the Ilonggos affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and fighting COVID-19.

“I would like to thank the donors of food for frontliners and residents. Monetary donations will be used directly to buy relief goods and to those in need,” Treñas stressed.

Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) thanked all those who have responded to “Batò (Fight) Iloilo: Call for Donations for Iloilo against COVID-19 Outbreak.”

As of April 17, 2020, total fund has reached P6,472,441 since donation drive started March 23.

Expenses have amounted to P1,061,306 spent for hospitals and various medical requirements, and kitchen needs for preparation of food for frontliners.

“Our existing balance is allocated for our kitchen as the City Government is preparing some 2,000 daily meals for our frontliners. The additional 800 servings have accommodated our PNP personnel,” IFFI added.

“The City Government has been prudent in its request for funding from IFFI as it is reserving funds for the continuing community kitchen and other medical and hospital requirements,” it noted.

Big businesses, foundations and organizations are reaching out to the beneficiaries.

Government officials and employees, too, have been extending assistance.

Individuals, some working and staying abroad, and some wanted to remain anonymous, are giving their own contributions, spreading positivity.

Children have shared their savings from piggy coin banks.

A graduating student shared the money she saved which was supposed to be used to buy cellphone as graduation gift.

A young artist painted and sold her masterpieces online, using her talent to give back something.

Staffs of an insurance company have instead given their summer outing fund.

The list of kind-hearted sponsors goes on.

“Heartwarming donations, ranging from one hundred to hundreds of thousands, have shown our collective desire to heed the appeal of our hardworking Mayor Jerry Treñas to help our community and have strengthened our unity and faith in one another,” IFFI stated.

As of April 6, P494,030 had been disbursed for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other hospital requirements of the West Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) and the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Medical Center and the 2,000 folding beds of the forthcoming Contingency Center.

As of March 30, a total of P200,000 was released including P100,000 each to WVMC and WVSUMC for their PPEs and other medical requirements.

Support may be coursed through Account Name: IFFI (c/o Dr. Roland Uy, Treasurer) via BDO Acct No. 003368009899 Iloilo-Quezon St. branch and Queenbank Acct. No. 001-02-00140-5 Valeria branch.

“We would appreciate if you can send us a copy of your deposit slip thru FB Messenger Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. or email us at: iloilofestivals@gmail.com, so we can properly account and acknowledge your help,” IFFI added. (Iloilo City PIO)