November 28, 2013
MCGI and UNTV Setup Relief Camp for Typhoon Yolanda Survivors in Tacloban
November 22, 2013 (Manila, Philippines) — Members Church of God International (MCGI), in partnership with UNTV, set up “Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) and UNTV Camp” to provide ready-to-eat food and relief packs for Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Tacloban City, Leyte.
About 1,000 residents were given food such as bread and rice porridge on November 15, 2013, during the camp’s first day of operations. MCGI and Public Service Channel UNTV will continue handing out food, relief packages and medicine to people devastated by the typhoon.
MCGI Leaders Bro. Eliseo Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon also sent six generator sets including fuel to the region to power the camp’s operations.
News reports cited government officials that it could take two months to fully restore electricity in Tacloban as 90 percent of its power poles are down. (Links to Philstar.com article)
MCGI Measures
Before the storm hit, Bro. Daniel, following instructions from Bro. Eli, instructed Church Workers in the Visayas Region to force evacuate members from their homes and bring them to MCGI Coordinating Centers.
The recently-acquired rental space for the Tacloban Chapter is on the third floor of its building. During the storm surge, the evacuated Church members watched as the floodwater rose in seconds up to the floor below them.
Trained members in nearby areas belonging to the organization’s Emergency Response Teams had also readied their vehicles and equipment for rescue missions and first-aid applications.
UNTV Initiative
Good Morning Kuya! (GMK) hosts initiated a ‘first-pay-first-sell’ effort to help raise funds for their fellows in Visayas. Bro. Daniel, also known as Kuya Daniel, is the main host of the show
“This is not an auction. This is really a sale to whoever will pay first and say ‘Mine,’” said Atty. Regie Tongol.
Atty. Tongol added that there have also been pledges from people outside the country to help the calamity-stricken families. “As of now Kuya, we have 800 Australian dollars as pledge from Australia, which we will add to the fund.”
The GMK hosts said the initiative is a surprise gift to UNTV CEO Daniel Razon, who will celebrate his 30th year in public service on November 28, 2013.
“We avoid placing account numbers [on our channel] as we prefer exerting our own efforts, like this one made by our hosts,” said the veteran broadcaster.
For his part, Bro. Daniel will also donate his belongings, including shirts he wore in the upcoming Isang Araw (One Day) film. Besides funding the various charitable works of UNTV — including a daily medical mission and feeding program — proceeds of the movie will also fund the needs of those affected in Visayas.
(Words by Art Cruz)
