Delivered on 15 November 2013

As of 12:00 p.m. today, we have monitored forty-three (43) international donors that have pledged or have already sent assistance to support the ongoing relief and recovery operations in the areas affected by typhoon Yolanda.

This brings the current estimated value of international assistance to Php 5.4 billion or USD 126.8 million. I wish to reiterate that this amount accounts only for those donations to which the donors assigned a monetary value and that pledges of financial aid have to be processed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the donors before the funds reach the recipients. You might have also noticed that some pledges which were already announced in the media are not reflected in our list. As previously explained, the DFA, as the focal point on international assistance, is focusing on coordinating initial contact with foreign governments and international organizations intending to render humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts. We undertake a verification process, which involves getting official notification from the foreign government or international organization before the information is added to the list. 

The DFA also receives the requests for diplomatic clearance involving the entry and exit of foreign military, government or government-chartered aircraft and seacraft providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. Once we are notified of travel details and other pertinent information, we relay these either to the DOH, if the vessel carries a medical team and/or medicines, or to the Office of Civil Defense, if it is carrying non-medical goods. Upon landing, the aircraft will be processed by the NDRRMC’s One-Stop Shop (NDRRMC-OSS) at the airport.

The One-Stop Shops are located at the Bureau of Customs office in NAIA and Mactan Airport. It serves as the hub for all transactions between and among donors, consignee and recipients of arrived foreign donations. The NDRRMC-OSS has personnel from the different government agencies, such as the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, DFA, DND, DOH, DSWD, DepED, DOTC, DA, and DOF, among others. 

DOF personnel are there to facilitate the release of requests for exemption from duties and/or taxes for aid received from various governments, international organizations or institutions.  I’m giving you a copy of the list of the documentary requirements for importation of relief goods. If the requirements are incomplete, the concerned organization, institution and/or hospital may coordinate with the representatives concerned, such as representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Health, in the NDRRMC- OSS.

Meanwhile, the DFA is receiving heartwarming reports from our Embassies and Consulates about the various initiatives of Filipino communities abroad to help their fellow Filipinos who have been affected by this disaster.

For instance, the Bayanihan Council, the umbrella organization of all Filipino community groups in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) immediately sent relief funds amounting to Php 110,000 to the Philippine Red Cross. Our Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, together with the Filipino community in Malaysia, was able to raise around Php 43,000 for donation also to the Philippine Red Cross.

Various Filipino groups in different countries are organizing fund drives and other activities to help uplift the spirit and physical condition of the victims. END