27 JUNE 2008 – As tropical cyclone “Frank” left the Philippines, the Philippine Government’s agencies proceeded with the assistance and relief services to the 415,714 families, totaling more than 2 million persons in 38 cities and 207 towns and villages of in provinces.

Updates on the effects of Typhoon Frank in the Philippines can be accessed at the website www.ndcc.gov.ph.

The Philippine Government expresses gratitude for the Philippine and overseas individuals and organizations that have sent donations and pledges of assistance for the affected families. However, the Philippine Government has requested that donations be made in financial form, which will be used to purchase the specific medicines, relief goods, and items needed by the families.

Groups may also undertake medical and humanitarian missions to affected parts of the country.

To expedite the immediate usage of donations and contributions for relief, donations are encouraged to be in financial form. Items for donation preferably should be within the UN List of Emergency Relief Items.

The Philippine National Red Cross is the only agency that can accept donations in non-Philippine currency, which can be received through credit card and on-line transactions. The procedures for on-line donations can be accessed through the Red Cross website www.redcross.org.ph. The Red Cross also receives donations in US Dollar currency through the following banks:

Account name: The Philippine National Red Cross
Bank: Metrobank Port Area Branch, Port Area, Manila
Account No.: 151-2-151-00218-2
Account Type: Current
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

Account name: The Philippine National Red Cross
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands United Nations Branch, Ermita, Manila
Account No.: 8114-0030-94
Account Type: Savings
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

The Red Cross states that for donations to be properly acknowledged, a copy of the bank transaction slip, indicating the donor’s name, address and contact details, must be faxed to +632 525 5654 or +632 404 0979.

The Philippine Department of Health coordinates shipments of donated medicine and the directing of volunteer medical and humanitarian missions. Parties that wish to donate medical supplies or undertake medical missions to affected areas may contact Ms. Noni Balbino of the Department of Health’s Bureau of International Health Cooperation, at telephone +632 781 2843 and fax +632 781 8843. Other contacts are: Dr. Carmencita Banato at +63 917 845 5481 and Dr Arnel Rivera at +63 928 394 6756.

Other queries concerning donations or rehabilitation equipment and relief goods, and other matters may be directed to:

Engr. Florentino Sison, Deputy Chief, Operations Division
National Disaster Coordinating Council
Tel.: +632 912 5979, +632 912 2665
Fax: +632 911 1873; +632 911 1406; +632 912 5668; +632 912 0984

Mr. Benjie Delfin, Head, Operations Center – Disaster Management Center
Philippine National Red Cross
Tel.: +632 527 0865
Fax: +632 524 5787