PHILIPPINE EMBASSY - NEWS RELEASE
18 February 2006

The Filipino nation mourns over the tragedy which struck Barangay Guinsaugon in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

Massive landslides, triggered by an earthquake, buried more than 300 houses in the village. The number of casualties is expected to be in the thousands even as about 1,500 are feared missing.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has already ordered the immediate mobilization of all government resources and coordinated relief and rescue operations by sea, land and air have been launched by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCCC).

In response to the Philippine government's request for assistance, the United States government has dispatched two US military ships and it will provide funds for the response efforts. The United Nations will send a special disaster team to assess needs in the calamity area and the government of Japan will likewise provide relief support. The International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies had released emergency funds to address the needs of the survivors.

I wish to appeal to all Filipinos, friends of the Philippines and concerned groups and individuals to extend their helping hand to the victims of this tragedy.

The Philippine Embassy will accept donations in cash, check, or money order. Donations should be made payable to the Philippine Embassy which will issue receipts for the them. Checks may be mailed to the Philippine Embassy as follows: Attention: Ms. Cynthia Tayam, Philippine Embassy, 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036.

The names of donors, the amounts donated and the dates they were received will be posted in the Embassy website which is www.philippineembassy-usa.org and a regular progress report on this fund will be issued the Embassy's Press and Information Section.

All donations collected by the Embassy will be transmitted to the NDCC in the Philippines which is the government's inter-agency body responsible for coordinating disaster rescue, relief and rehabilitation.

Please contact the following Embassy personnel if you wish to help in this most urgent humanitarian cause: Ms. Cynthia Tayam, DL (202) 467-9381 or wdcepfinance @ aol.com or Ms. Cecile Tomas: DL (202) 467-9403. They may also be reached through the Embassy trunkline which is (202) 467-9300.

The Philippine Embassy profoundly thanks all those who will respond to this appeal in the spirit of love and compassion for our fellow Filipinos.

Ambassador Albert F. Del Rosario
Washington, DC