NEWS UPDATE: A week after powerful typhoon Yolanda battered the Visayas and parts of Luzon, the outpouring of support for the Philippines continues, with foreign aid reaching P5.48 billion, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday. Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said the funding, equivalent to $126.8 million, came from 43 international donors from various governments and organizations. Assistance are in the form of cash and in-kind donations with monetary value, such as medicines, food, blankets, tents, and equipment, the DFA said. Earlier in the day, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Aquino has ordered the creation of a website that will track all donations to the Philippines. In a week’s time [it will be published], hinahanda na po nila, mai-lo-launch na po yun. Ang gusto po kasi ng Pangulo makita kung magkano yung dumaan sa gobyerno mismo, Valte said. According to latest government records, Yolanda killed 3,621 people and injured 12,165 others. In addition, a total 1,140 have been reported missing. Yolanda had wiped out several towns and villages, prompting hundreds of residents to leave and migrate to nearby Cebu or in Manila. Assistance in Tacloban City in Leyte – one of the areas hardest hit by Yolanda – and other remote areas come in trickles as the delivery of aid is hampered by road blocks, lack of electricity and on and off communication lines. 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 were also received by the DFA, Hernandez said. “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,” Hernandez explained. Hernandez clarified that pledges which were already announced in the media are not on its list. A verification process, which involves getting official notification from the foreign government or international organization, is conducted by the DFA before aid pledges are added on the list. One-stop shops, he added, have been set up at the Bureau of Customs office at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and in Mactan Airport in Cebu to facilitate the quick entry of donations and process the request of exemption of taxes and duties on foreign aid. Department of Finance personnel are there to facilitate the release of request for exemption from duties and/or taxes for aid received from various governments, international organizations or institutions,” Hernandez said. Entry of relief goods from foreign governments and organizations would require a recommendation from the DFA and shipment documents for them to be duty and tax exempted, a Finance Department policy said. Other relief organizations, “duly accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, non-stock/non-profit charitable and/or religious institutions, and government and private hospitals registered with the Department of Health” are only exempted from duties and would be subjected to payment of Value Added Tax, the DOF said. These organizations must present a DSWD or National Economic Development Authority recommendation, deed of donation, duly notarized Deed of acceptance and shipping documents. — RSJ, GMA News... Ella7723
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 02:21:01 +0000
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