Filipino community groups in HK organise relief drives for Ulysses victims

November 13, 2020

The Bicol Migrants HK Association organised a relief drive on Sunday, Nov. 8, for victims of supertyphoon Rolly and typhoon Quinta. They are set to continue the drive for victims of typhoon Ulysses, which sank communities across Luzon in floodwater. (COURTESY: Bebs Cobilla Leonardo/Bicol Migrants HK Association)

In the wake of the onslaught of typhoon Vamco (Philippine name: Ulysses) in Luzon, several Filipino community groups have mounted fundraisers to provide relief to affected communities in the Philippines.

Ulysses, although only a Category 2 typhoon, paralysed Metro Manila and nearby provinces after its torrential rains submerged communities underwater. This forced over 350,000 people in eight regions to evacuate their homes.

One group, Global Alliance, has already raised HK$1,600 in donations from domestic workers and other Filipinos. The organisation’s president, Marites Nuval, told Hong Kong News they are expecting more funds to come in since they cast a wider net of possible donors.

“This time kailangan namin ng more para makapagraise kami ng medyo mas malaki kasi nakita po natin talaga ‘yung disaster na nangyari sa atin,” Nuval said.

[Translation: We need more this time to raise larger funds since we saw the effect of the disaster.]

She said 100% of the proceeds of the relief drive will go to its recipient members in Rodriguez, Rizal. Floodwater rose up to the first floor of houses and forced some residents to await rescue atop their roofs while bracing Ulysses’ strong winds.

The group had earlier organised two relief drives for victims of supertyphoon Goni (Philippine name: Rolly) and typhoon Molave (Philippine name: Quinta). It was able to send HK$4,700 worth of goods and cash to towns battered by the two weather disturbances.

The Bicol Migrants Hong Kong Association drive will also continue. Its president, Bebs Cobilla Leonardo, told Hong Kong News their organization can receive donations on Sunday in Central.

On Nov. 8, they packed seven boxes relief goods to be sent to several communities in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Albay—which bore the brunt of Rolly and Quinta, and also suffered under the heavy rains brought by Ulysses.

Ulysses’ damage to agriculture was estimated to cost PH₱99,342,519. The typhoon, which was likened to 2009’s Ketsana (Philippine name: Ondoy), left at least 12 dead and eight injured, according to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Another group, the Domestic Workers’ Corner, also organised a fundraising hike to Fu Shan Viewing Point in Tai O on Sunday. Proceeds collected from the hike’s participants will go to barangay captains of towns most affected by the series of typhoons which battered the Philippines.

Rowegie Arquisola, a volunteer who initiated the hike, said the hike will also maximise the leisurely time many domestic workers have during Sunday—instead of just staying on the streets of Central and in malls.

“Naisip ko po ‘yung mag invite ng hike because some want somewhere to go [to] for pleasure and unwinding. Maybe in that way we can earn some more para po to help sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo,” she said.

The DWC has already earned over HK$19,000 to provide financial assistance to affected persons in the Philippines.