Students from different universities pouch foods as they volunteer to help distribute relief goods at the Philippine National Red Cross office on Tuesday. (Photo by CHARI VILLEGAS)

The Australian government led Tuesday’s donors for the country’s flood relief efforts, giving one million Australian dollars or P40 million to help sustain rehabilitation operations in areas severely affected by tropical storm “Ondoy”.

The government of South Korea also donated emergency relief goods equivalent to US$300,000 or more than P13 million.

"Australia's contribution will help with the relief operations of both the Philippine government and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), including providing emergency supplies of drinking water, food, clothing, hygiene kits, and related essential items,” Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said.

Likewise, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance McMullan conveyed Australia’s condolences to the Philippine government and people “for the tragic loss of life and property”.

“Australia stands ready to offer further assistance if additional needs are identified by the Philippine government,” Smith said.

Australia is among the countries that have provided extensive humanitarian and emergency assistance to the Philippines since 2006.

Australia’s total contribution for disaster risk reduction projects in the Philippines amount to P304.5 million, implemented since 2006 until 2011.

Australia is also a long-standing development partner of the Philippines and one of the country’s largest bilateral grant aid donors.

Aside from the South Korean government, Seoul-based OCI Company Ltd. Also gave US$50,000 cash to the Philippine National Red Cross. OCI Company Ltd. is headed by chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Lee Soo Young.

“The government and people of the Republic of Korea express their deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of tropical storm Ondoy and their bereaved families,” the South Korean Embassy said in a statement.

“The Korean Government and people sincerely hope that the Filipino people will quickly recover from the suffering and devastation through their unyielding resilience,” it added.

Aside from cash and relief goods, the embassy said voluntary humanitarian assistance activities, particularly the delivery of relief items, are being conducted by the United Korean Community Association in the Philippines in Valenzuela City, Paranaque City, Antipolo City, and Cainta, Rizal, among the areas most affected by the onslaught of Ondoy.

South Korea is among the Philippines’ largest trading partner and a major source of tourists.

Meanwhile, following the US$10,000 cash donation by the Chinese Embassy, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Philippines, Inc. also donated US$30,000 to the victims of Ondoy.

The check was presented by Huawei president Yang Hua to Vice President Noli de Castro at the dinner reception of the 60th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China Monday night at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Franklin Ebdalin thanked the Chinese government for its assistance.

“We thank the Chinese government for its kind expression of sympathy and donation of assistance to the victims of Ondoy,” Ebdalin said.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao assured that the Chinese government and its people will help the country recover from the recent devastation.

“It’s heartbreaking to hear lives lost, families displaced and people homeless. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with those affected by tropical storm Ondoy,” Liu said. “In this difficult time, our Filipino friends can rest assured that a helping hand is all that the Chinese Government and people have to give in time of need.”

In Baguio City, the city government approved the appropriation of P500,000 for the National Disaster Coordinating Council for relief operations, while the local chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross and other civic organizations in the city have started soliciting food items, clothes and other relief goods.

In Benguet, local vegetable traders and truckers are also pooling their resources in order to bring to Metro Manila several truckloads of locally-grown vegetables .

Meanwhile, the Taguig City government mobilized its disaster coordinating council to implement a three-pronged relief operation to immediately address the needs of victims and constituents affected by Ondoy.

Mayor Sigfrido Tinga said the operations will focus on the distribution of relief goods to thousands of affected families, the setting up of wooden foot bridges in areas still submerged in flood waters, and the provision of free shuttle services to ferry commuters to and from areas not passable to public transport.

Tinga tapped its community development units to serve as frontliners in ensuring the fast, efficient and systematic delivery of relief goods and services in all affected areas.

He explained that CDU is considered as the city’s smallest political unit, each composed of 30 to 50 households.

The mayor said the services were provided following last Monday’s approval by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of an ordinance declaring the city under a state of calamity and authorizing the release of funds for relief and rehabilitation purposes.

Tinga said that relief goods will cover 5,000 families per day and will simultaneously be distributed in flooded areas, namely: Ususan, Tuktukan, Sta. Ana, Calzada, Palingon, Ibayo, and Ligid in Tipas; Napindan; Bambang; Wawa; Hagonoy; San Miguel; Lower Bicutan; New Lower Bicutan; and Bagumbayan.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration meanwhile came out with a new program called “Libreng Message/Libreng Tawag” to families of overseas Filipino workers who want to contact their relatives through free phone calls or text messages.

OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said thousands of relatives of OFWs especially those working in Saudi Arabia rushed to the 10 locations they have set up after learning they are offering free phone calls and text messages.

The free call centers are located at the DZRH/OWWA Center in Pasay City; Camp Aguinaldo; RAD, OP Center; OOCS; Marikina Rodriguez Sports Complex; Marikina-Malanday; Pasig Rosario Sports Complex; Cainta Ynares Sports Complex; Qyuezon City Jordan Plains; Caloocan City Hall Talipapa Elementary School and Manila Delpan Barangay Hall.

The Bureau of Customs also released six containers of used clothing and canned goods it earlier seized for the flood and storm victims.

Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales ordered the turnover of the apprehended goods to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for immediate distribution to the hardest hit areas in Luzon. (With a report from Raymond Antonio)