BUREAU of Customs officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have started raising funds to be donated to evacuees from the terror-stricken city of Marawi.
According to BoC District Collector Ed Macabeo, the fund raising campaign started last month following a meeting of all customs personnel at the NAIA.
He said the suffering of Marawi City residents, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, were discussed and a consensus “to extend helping hands by way of giving financial contribution to procure food supplies and other needed items for their use while in the evacuation center” was reached.
To date the voluntary contributions made by 458 Customs personnel have already reached P480,000 (US $9,600), Macabeo said.
BoC Special Deputy Collector Norsalem Raymond M. Mama-o, who was officially assigned to head the donation campaign, said cash donation are still pouring in as other Customs employees have signified their intention to help. He said the cash donations will be delivered to deserving recipients in various evacuation centers in Sagularan, Baloi and Iligan City.
“It’s our way of helping our brothers in Marawi, and at the same time our little own way of showing our support to our commissioner,” Mama-o, who had relatives living in Marawi City, said.
Asked if it is possible for the bureau to donate abandoned belongings that under the custody of the district, Mama-o explained that that will take more time to be released adding that sending cash donation is more convenient to them rather than other kind of donations.
