The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has opened its own relief centers around Metro Manila where motorists can drop off their donations.

“We need everything, clothes, canned foods, noodles, potable water, and especially medicines. We’re asking the public for donations. Please help, our fellow countrymen need you,” MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando appealed on Tuesday.

Motorists can drop off their donations at the agency’s Road Emergency Stations along Edsa and other major thoroughfares. They are located on Edsa-Timog, Edsa-Ortigas, Edsa-Buendia, Edsa-Roxas Boulevard, C-5/Libis, Aurora-Katipunan, Nagtahan/Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and at the provincial bus station at the Trinoma Mall at the corner of Edsa and North Avenue in Quezon City.

The MMDA, taking its part in the nationwide relief effort, appealed for foods, blankets, medicines and other basic necessities from Metro Manila residents amid the increasing number of families and individuals gravely affected by the disaster.

The MMDA’s head office on Edsa-Orense Street in Makati City has been opened for anyone wishing to give donations. The public may call the agency’s emergency hotlines 882-08-97 and 882-21-44 for any query.

Fernando ordered the establishment of relief donation receiving stations after repeatedly being approached by motorists carrying carloads of relief goods for Ondoy victims while leading a clearing operation along FVR Road in Calumpang, Marikina last Monday.

The MMDA chief said the agency’s relief centers are open 24-hours and are continuously manned by duty officers to receive donations from walk-in pedestrians and motorists.

To ensure transparency, everyone who will give donations, whether in-kind or cash, will be asked to sign a form for his or her name, contact numbers, and the kind and quantity of relief goods or the exact amount of cash they gave.

The MMDA head office will regularly go around these stations to collect relief goods.

Reciprocating the assistance given by the MMDA when it was struck by typhoon Emong last May, the city government of Alaminos under Mayor Hernani Braganza sent ten truckloads of 100 sacks of rice to the MMDA to help in the agency’s relief efforts for Ondoy victims.

Other provincial governments previously aided by the MMDA, such as Iloilo and Aklan, have pledged for relief goods to send help to Metro Manila through the agency.