27 November 2013 – The Philippine Consulate General in Osaka has been accepting and coordinating monetary donations amounting to 56,114,950 Japanese yen (JPY) for the benefit of the victims and their families of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) from various local government authorities, private companies, Japanese groups and individuals and the Filipino community in the Kansai region.

Local government officials from Kansai donated the following:

• Hon. Osami Takeyama, Mayor of Sakai City                     -           1 million yen
• Hon. Ichiro Matsui, Governor of Osaka Prefecture            -           1 million yen
• Hon. Toru Hashimoto, Mayor of Osaka City                       -           1 million yen
• Hon. Tatsuo Yada, Mayor of Kobe City                              -           1 million yen
• Hon. Teruo Minobe, President of Osaka City Assembly  -           860,000 yen*

      *(86 members of the Assembly donated 10,000 yen each)

“The expressions of support and gestures of kindness from our friends in the Kansai region are a source of encouragement and hope during this time of suffering induced by the devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda”, said Consul General to western Japan Maria Teresa Taguiang.  

Officials from Fuji Oil Company visited the Consulate on November 14 to personally convey their pledge of 20 million to 50 million yen of monetary donation and relief supplies specifically for the benefit of Tanauan, Leyte where their plant is located. Fuji Oil Company has a plant in Tanauan, Leyte which was damaged by the typhoon. According to the officials, they have not received any information regarding the condition of their 89 employees in the plant.  

The Kobe City Assembly expressed their deep sadness for the loss of lives and offered their thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families.

The Kansai Economic Federation also expressed its deepest sympathies and wished for the Philippines’ recovery.

The Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry conveyed its deep grief and sorrow and offered their heartfelt sympathy to all those who fell victims to the disaster.

The Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry offered their sincere sympathy and heartfelt condolences for all the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

Governor Shogo Arai of Nara Prefecture and Governor Keizo Yamada of Kyoto Prefecture expressed their heartfelt sympathy to those who suffered the typhoon  and offered their condolences to the bereaved families of those who died in the disaster.

Mr. Yoshinobu Miyake, a Shinto priest of the Konko Church of Izuo and member of the Prosperity for Humankind, came to the Consulate to personally convey his deep condolences and prayers for the victims and hand over their donation. Members of the Prosperity for Humankind put up a donation box in their office to raise funds for the victims and they were able to collect JPY153,950 as cash donation.

Mr. Yoshimitsu Kitagawa of Kabushiki Gaisha Isami (Isami Farm) sent a letter of condolences for the victims and donated JPY30,000 for the benefit of those who were affected by the typhoon.

A number of Japanese and Filipino individuals including applicants gave cash donations as their show of support and sympathy for all those affected by the disaster. Their donations have amounted to JPY71,000.

The Consulate is coordinating with Filipino community organizations in western Japan and Filipino scholars in areas under its jurisdiction who have expressed their desire to help and give donations in cash or in kind.

The Consulate was also invited by the City of Osaka to participate in some projects and activities of the city government in December this year to raise awareness among the Japanese regarding the disaster and solicit donations for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). END