07 November 2013
To Our Dear Friends,
As you are aware, a 7.2 magnitude
earthquake struck our country’s Region VII on
15 October
2013, causing serious damage mostly in Bohol. Over 200 people died, more than
1,000 got injured and majority of the 1.26 million population were severely
affected by the
natural
catastrophe.
You
must have seen media images showing how in a matter of seconds, a total of 22
centuries-old churches were damaged, some reduced to rubbles; hundreds of buildings and homes destroyed; roads and bridges blocked or collapsed; power
lines cut and water supplies interrupted.
Some
of the world-famous Chocolate Hills were defaced. The damage to the local
economy and to the people’s sense of security and well-being was
incalculable. A total of 2,737
aftershocks have been recorded to date. More than 100 sinkholes were
discovered. A state of calamity has been declared for the province.
Around
380,000 people have been displaced with over 75,000 living in makeshift
shelters outside their homes and in open public places or evacuation centers. A
total of 56,993 houses were damaged, 12, 503 or 22% of which were totally
destroyed.
Our
NGO, the Bohol Local Development Foundation (BLDF), has joined hands with
Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Miriam College and Peacock Garden Spa and Resort in Baclayon, Bohol to help the Government and
the international committee address the challenge to provide temporary houses
and enable families to move from tents and other makeshift evacuation sites. Based
on current estimates, each temporary house will cost Php 10,000 (USD 230) with
contribution of labor and some construction materials from the family being
helped.
The
target of this partnership is to help families with totally damaged houses by
building 150 houses from the initial period, October 2013 to April 2014.
Administrative costs, estimated at 15% of the house costs (Php 1.5 m.) will
amount to Php 225,000. Hence, the total funding required is Php 1,725, 000, the
target for the funding campaign.
We
will increase the house build targets as we raise more funds.
We
appeal to you to help us raise this amount by sending your contribution
to: United Coconut Planters Bank,
Tagbilaran City, Philippines with BLDF UCPB Peso Acct # 003051275898; UCPB
SWIFT CODE – UCPBPHMMA .
Alternatively,
your cash donation can be sent to: Western Union c/o Ms. Bona Dea Padron Address: La Paz, Cortes, Bohol; Tel. +63 38
503 9440; Mobile: +63 908 860 1018; Palawan Pawnshop, Cebuana Lhullier, M.
Lhullier c/o Lorena Balala, Laya, Baclayon, Bohol; Tel. +63 (935) 3635241.
Contributions
will be acknowledged on the FB page, Bohol Quake Assistance. Financial and
program updates are also published on this FB page. My FB name is npestelos.
Information about BLDF is found in these websites: www.nestormpestelos.blogspot.com and www.pdmsplus.com.
Any
amount will do. The important thing is for us to show we care for Bohol and its
gentle people who are now living through difficult times.
Yours
sincerely,
NESTOR
M. PESTELOS
BLDF
President
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