The Japanese government Monday donated emergency relief goods equivalent to 20 million yen or more than P10 million for the victims of tropical storm “Ondoy.”

“The Government of Japan, in response to the request from the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, has decided to provide emergency relief goods equivalent to approximately 20 million yen to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” the Japanese Embassy said in a statement Monday afternoon.

Likewise, the embassy disclosed that Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada wrote a letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo conveying Japan’s “heartfelt sympathy to the losses of many lives and serious damage in Metro Manila and other regions”.

“Mr. Okada also mentioned in the letter that Japan will spare no effort in providing necessary assistance and cooperation for rehabilitation of affected people and areas,” the embassy said.

Aid from the international community started to pour in since Saturday, with the US government giving US$50,000 in emergency relief to the Philippine National Red Cross. The Chinese government also gave US$10,000 to the PNRC last Sunday while the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) pledged P15.3million worth of food and non-food items for the typhoon victims.

The Metrobank Foundation has also pledged P10 million in cash.

Metrobank Group Chairman George S. K. Ty spearheaded the initiative while Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña said they are coordinating with government agencies and associations in coming up with a list of recipient organizations and communities.

Ms. Cherry Bobadilla, corporate communications representative of the Metrobank Foundation, said they are finalizing the beneficiaries from an initial list provided by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), focusing on LGUs.

Following a meeting with its subsidiaries which include PSBank, Toyota, AXA Life, Metrobank Card Company, FMIC, and Federal Land, Bobadilla said they are targeting the pick up of donations by today, and distribution the day after.

Group officials also designated Metrobank branches that are near the affected areas as drop off points for donations and relief goods from clients.

Metrobank has created an account to receive cash donations – Metrobank Foundation Inc., FAO Ondoy account number: 066 3721540864. Metrobank cardholders can also help out the typhoon and flood victims by converting accumulated rewards points as donations to the Metrobank Foundation.

The leadership of the House of Representatives also asked its members to help typhoon “Ondoy” victims.

Speaker Prospero Nograles said the House will “pass the hat” to accept voluntary contributions from lawmakers when session resumes today.

“Perhaps P5, 000 or P10, 000 donation from each congressman will do,” Anak Mindanao party list Rep. Mujiv Hataman said.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he was optimistic that all House members will support the donation drive initiated by Nograles.

At the same time, Marcos called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Department of Agriculture (DA) to closely watch retailers who might take advantage of the situation by hoarding their goods.

“We should not allow these unscrupulous retailers to exploit the situation. They should be charged and sent to jail,” Marcos said, adding that prices of prime commodities such as rice, sugar, milk, bread, canned goods and instant noodles must remain stable.

Meanwhile, telecommunications firm Globe Telecom has assured the public that it has mobilized teams that are working round the clock to provide services to subscribers, especially in areas hardest hit by calamity.

In a statement, the firm disclosed that although its engineers are working tirelessly to bring back services in areas adversely affected by the typhoon, they are hindered by physical constraints, particularly floods in the eastern part of Metro Manila.

“We do not have specific stats at the moment, nor have a definite time of full normalization, but we have significantly brought back services in many areas already,” the statement read.

The firm has also donated P1 million each to the fund-raising efforts of the “Sagip Kapamilya” under the ABS-CBN Foundation and the GMA Kapuso Foundation to help flood and landslide victims in various parts of the country.

“Our business centers welcome relief goods, but not cash,” the statement said.

Among the Globe business centers accepting donations are those in Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall, Robinson’s Malate, SM Southmall, Mall of Asia, SM Bicutan, in Southern GMA; SM Fairview, Trinoma, and SM North in Northern GMA; and Greenbelt 4Park Square, and SM Makati in Central GMA.

Catholic groups Caritas Manila and Radio Veritas 846 also appealed for donations in cash and in kind.

Fr. Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila executive director, said Caritas is currently short of funds because of the financial help they just sent to Mindanao and Zambales.

Despite its predicament, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila was still able to send 1,000 bags of relief goods last Sunday to hundreds of families in different evacuation centers in Pasay City.

Those who wish to donate cash may deposit through the following Caritas Manila bank accounts: BANCO DE ORO (BDO) – Savings Account No. 3970006958 BPI - Savings Account No. 3063-5357-01 CHINABANK - Savings Account No. 103-3099715 METROBANK - Savings Account No. 175-3-17506954-3 RCBC - Savings Account No. 3-000-90221-6 UCPB - Savings Account No. 128-162208-7 SECURITY BANK - Current Account No. 0141-019452-001.

For overseas donors, deposit your donation to the Caritas Manila -BPI Dollar Saving Account No. 3064-0033-55 or PNB Dollar Savins Account No. 108566600025.

Donations in kind within Metro Manila may also request for pick up by calling 5639308 and 5639298 or call Veritas 846 at 9257931 to 40. (With a report from Edmer Panesa and Leslie Ann Aquino)