Press Release
September 30, 2009

YOUNG VOLUNTEERS DRIVE OPERATION TULONG BAYAN
CALLS FOR MORE RICE AND WATER DONATIONS

Operation Tulong Bayan thanks the young, energetic volunteers for going out of their way and helping out in packing and distributing relief goods to the victims of tropical storm Ondoy.

Since relief operations started on September 27 to today, more than 1,600 volunteers, mostly youth, have trooped to the relief headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City

Carlo de Castro, a member of "I am Ninoy," learned about the relief operations through the online social tool Twitter and immediately called friends and schoolmates to help out.

"Walang karekla-reklamo, ayaw nilang natetengga, talagang nadarama mo ang spirit of voluntereesim (They don't complain, they even look for something to do themselves. You really feel the spirit of volunteerism)," he said of his fellow volunteers. "What's fun is that we're making new friends from all walks of life. They're all kind and patient."

Another young volunteer, Pauline Dimaculangan, joined teams who went to flooded areas of Cainta and Pasig for relief and rescue operations. "Gusto talaga namin na tumulong sa pamimigay ng relief goods. Masaya na nakaka-challenge. Sumakay kami sa likod ng dump truck na super-taas (We really wanted to help in giving out relief goods. It's fun and challenging at the same time. We rode at the back of a very high dump truck," she said.

Operation Tulong Bayan is now asking for more donations, especially of rice and water, to sustain the relief efforts. Andrew Masigan, who supervises the relief center in Cubao, said that supplies are sent out to affected areas as fast as they come in.

The Tulong Bayan relief center is in Balay, Expo Centro (formerly Seafood Market), EDSA corner General McArthur St., Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City, inside the parking lot fronting the fruit section of Farmers Market. Hotline: 9137122, 9136254, 9133306. (Manilyn) 09086579998, (Jenn) 09393633436.

As of 9:00 pm on September 28, Operation Tulong Bayan has distributed relief packs to around 11,000 families in 20 areas since relief operations started. Relief packs contain bottled water, rice, noodles, canned goods, clothing and candles, among others.

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