Back to Home Print This Page Email This Page

Typhoon in Philippines harms Local 1000 family

Updated Oct. 5, 2009
A message from President Yvonne Walker

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Typhoon Ondoy struck the Philippines with the heaviest rainfall recorded followed by the worst flooding in 40 years. As of this writing, there are at least 246 dead or missing, and 1.93 million victims who are homeless, injured or who have lost all of their belongings. At least 1 million people are without electricity, and scenes in the Philippines are eerily similar to Hurricane Katrina and President Bush’s 2005 response (or lack thereof).

This has had a significant impact on the families of some of our members, including Ramon Alcantara, whose family has lost many of their possessions, and almost lost Ramon’s son.

If you can, please join me by contributing to BAYAN-Philippines to help families impacted by this horrible disaster.

BAYAN-Philippines’ “BALSA” (Bayanihan para sa Sambayanan, or “People’s Cooperation for the People”), is calling upon compatriots and sympathizers to gather financial donations for the victims of the flood. BALSA will be coordinating efforts to distribute  food, medicines, clothing and other basic necessities to help the people through this crisis. Since BALSA is firmly linked with the masses, aid will directly go towards the basic sectors of society – the workers, peasants and urban poor who make up the majority of victims.
    
Donations can be made through Ramon Alcantara, or directly deposited into the following account:

  • Bank: Chase
  • Account Name:  BAYAN-USA
  • Account Number:  340-209749-3
  • Make checks payable to "BAYAN-USA."
 
Questions can be directed to Ramon Alcantara at ralcantara@seiu1000.org.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for your support.

In solidarity,

Yvonne Walker, President
SEIU Local 1000

 

BAYAN-USA is an alliance of progressive Filipino groups in the U.S. representing organizations of students, scholars, women, workers, and youth. As the only international chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-Philippines), BAYAN-USA serves as an information bureau for the national democratic movement of the Philippines and as a campaign center for anti-imperialist Filipinos in the U.S.

BAYAN-Philippines is a multi-sectoral campaign center for its member organizations nationwide.  Its range of activities include fora, seminars, lobbying, pickets, marches, demonstrations and people’s strikes;

Works with other patriotic and progressive organizations and individuals based on the principles of consensus, independence and initiative;

Supports progressive candidates and parties in elections; Conducts education campaigns on the country's basic problems and how to solve them in ways that are democratic and people-oriented;

Initiates and/or promotes socio-economic relief and rehabilitation projects in support and in defense of the democratic rights of internal refugees and other victims of militarization and natural and man-made calamities, especially among the peasants and national minorities in the countryside.