16 December 2004 – Several Philippine Embassies and Consulates reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Filipinos overseas continue to  generate funds and other items for the relief of and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of the series of typhoons that hit Luzon recently.    The donated funds and relief items will be turned over to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto sent a list of donors to the Department, which are as follow: Bulakena Variety Store ($1,000), Hamilton Filipino Canadian Association (C$ 336.50), Order of the Knights of Rizal Canada (cash and clothings), St. Matthew the Apostle Church (clothing), Quezon Provincial Association Canada ($4,900), Catholic and Community of York Services ($150), Circulo Ilonggo ($500),  Forex ($1,000), Filipino Centre in Toronto ($500), Club Filipino Brampton and Toronto PCG personnel.

Various Filipino community organizations in the Midwest America responded to the appeal of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago. Three organizations – Bagumbayan, Nueva Vizcaya Association of Chicago and Kankakee Philippine American Catholics have turned over cash donations amounting to US$ 1,479 to the Consulate General.

In Milan, the Philippine Consulate General has deposited a total PhP276,575 to the ABS-CBN Foundation account. The Filipino community donated PhP224,250 while the Consulate personnel gave PhP52,325 to the Oplan Sagip Baha. The Consulate General continues to solicit donations from various Filipino community groups.

In response to the call of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo for assistance to provide immediate relief for the victims and to rehabilitate areas ravaged by the recent typhoons, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, in cooperation with the National Organization for Human Development  and LBC (M) Sdn. Bhd.,  launched the Lingap sa Biktima ng Calamity Drive.   Charge d’ Affaires Luis T. Cruz received initial donations of 50 cartons of instant noodles from Malaysia-based Filipino businesswoman Dr. Becky M. Leogardo.  LBC (M) Sdn. Bhd. handed over boxes of food and clothing as well as cash donations. END