Letter of Appeal for Bohol

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