August 31, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — How a lot rain does it take to submerge a group? Right here, one downpour can ship floods rising to as excessive as 10 ft.
Many households in low-lying areas face this menace year-round. To assist flood victims, The Philippine STAR and the Federation of Filipino Chinese language Chambers of Commerce and Business Inc. (FFCCCII) mounted a reduction drive final Aug. 28 and 29.
The initiative benefited six barangays in Quezon Metropolis, together with Quirino 2A, Apolonio Samson, Bahay Toro, Tatalon, Novaliches Correct and Batasan Hills.
“Lots of our kababayans had been badly affected by the storms and habagat. By this reduction operation, we need to present that the Filipino-Chinese language group is one with you,” FFCCCII govt vp Jeffrey Ng stated in Filipino.
A complete of three,500 beneficiaries obtained reduction packs, every containing 5 kilos of rice donated by the Federation and canned items, and different important meals objects donated by Quezon Metropolis councilor Mikey Belmonte.
Quezon Metropolis Mayor Pleasure Belmonte (heart) leads the initiative in Barangay Tatalon along with native officers and companions from FFCCCII and Philippine STAR
“Tayong lahat ay nagdadamayan,”
Ng reaffirmed FFCCCII’s dedication to serving to Filipinos in disaster throughout his go to to Barangay Tatalon, noting the group had donated P1 million to the The STAR’s Operation Damayan reduction fund.
“The FFCCCII can be a large assist, as a result of they don’t solely assist us, bu they assist the entire nation. Nevertheless it’s vital that they being assist to Quezon Metropolis,” shared Councilor Belmonte.
The group’s dedication extends past Tatalon. Alongside companions from the Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Basis, the Filipino-Chinese language group has carried out a number of nationwide reduction operations, distributing 50,000 five-kilo packs of rice price P10 million throughout Metro Manila and a number of other provinces, together with Baguio Metropolis, La Union, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, Olongapo and Palawan.
Distribution for 500 beneficiary households at Parkway Village in Apolonio Samson
Delivering help the place it issues most
In Tatalon, streets can flip into rivers with just some hours of rain. Recognizing the problem, Quezon Metropolis Mayor Pleasure Belmonte assured residents that the native authorities is coordinating with companies for well timed assist.
Moreover, Kagawad Jalyn Tabas emphasised that reduction operations are important, particularly for households in lessons C, D and E.
“Assist from the federal government and NGOs ensures residents have meals and assist after they want it most,” she stated.
For residents like Evelyn Gracilla, the help couldn’t have come at a greater time.
“Operations like this are a giant assist as we attempt to get well,” she stated in Filipino.
Distribution at SB Park in Batasan Hills benefited 1,000 households from throughout District 2
Hope amid the floods
The reduction drive introduced extra than simply meals – it delivered reassurance that the group will not be going through the storms alone. By coordinated efforts like The Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan, households in susceptible areas felt the solidarity and care of each native and nationwide companions.
As Gracilla put it, “Their assistance is a giant reduction for us in instances of disaster.”
“It’s the advocacy of The Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan to supply help to our fellowmen in want, and likewise the dedication of the Belmonte household to do its half,” The Philippine STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte stated.
“We’re grateful to organizations in addition to people that not solely lend their assist but additionally place their belief in STAR’s Operation Damayan,” he added.
Moments like these spotlight how compassion and collective motion could make an actual distinction when catastrophe strikes.