City mounts donation drive for Taal victims

THE CITY government of Baguio through the City Social Welfare and Development Office mounted a donation drive for the victims of the Taal volcano eruption.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong and CSWD Officer Betty Fangasan said the city started accepting donations in kind or in cash beginning Jan. 14, Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and this will all be delivered to the affected local government units.

Donations in kind may be dropped off at the CDRRMC Evacuation Center, Motorpool, Lower Rock Quarry, City Camp look for Joy Hilario or Ruth Bioyo.

In kind items may include food packs, bottled water, hygiene kit, blankets and clothing preferably new but used clothes are allowed as long as these are clean and usable.

Perishable items like vegetables are also allowed except those that are easily spoilt like leafy vegetables.

Donors are requested to itemize and label their donations for easy sorting and packing. Cash donations will be accepted at the Cashier’s Office City Hall look for Nida Rotor or Rhonda De Guzman or these may be deposited at the Land Bank of the Philippines to account name City Government of Baguio and account number 3552-1006-61.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Cordillera meanwhile reminds the public to be careful in providing donations to groups or individuals

asking for donations for those who are affected by the volcanic activities of Mt. Taal in Batangas Province.

This follows the report that some groups and individuals are allegedly conducting solicitation activities.

“We believe that many good hearted people want to extend their blessings to our kababayans who are in a difficult situation now but we also need to ensure that our donations will be used for the welfare of the identified beneficiaries and not for the personal interest of the solicitor ” DSWD-CAR OIC regional director Leo Quintilla said.

DSWD is mandated to provide solicitation permit to individuals, groups, organizations, or offices that wish to solicit monetary donation for public and charitable purposes.

Under Memorandum Circular (MC) 17 Series of 2014, any group or organization issued with a solicitation permit is required to submit fund utilization report, list of donors and beneficiaries, and other pertinent documents upon the expiry of issued permit. DSWD Offices issue permits for regional or national fund solicitation activities. The validity of the said permits shall not exceed six months or one year, respectively. Meanwhile, fund raising activities covering only one municipality or city will be handled by the concerned local government unit.

Non-government organizations, civil society organizations and private entities who wish to conduct fund raising activities are also regulated by the DSWD.

“We encourage our donors to coordinate with the nearest local social welfare and development office or DSWD office in their area for them to be guided in the donation process,” Quintilla added.

Individuals or organizations that fail to present their solicitation permit maybe reported to any DSWD Office or LGU in the area of concern. Legal sanctions may be implemented as stipulated in PD 1564 or the Solicitation Permit Law.

Donors may visit the DSWD-CAR Help Desk at #40 North Drive, Baguio City or may call (074) 661 0430 or +63917 871 9893 or +63919 065 5365. Queries may also be sent through https:// www.facebook.com/ dswdfocar.