CABANATUAN CITY – The people of this highly urbanizing city sent twelve truckloads of clothes, sanitary kits and
food products, donated largely by a philanthropist, to the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Basey and other parts of Samar on Friday.
Rossana Vergara, president of Cabanatuan Electric Corp., considered the donation which amounted to about
P2 million as coming from the residents of this city whom she traditionally distributes as Christmas gifts for the last 14 years.
The donation which includes brand new t-shirts, towels and goods were loaded in 14 trucks with 18.3 cubic meter capacity. Basey which, according to 2010 census has 540,423 people, was among the places hit by a storm surge.
City Social Welfare and Development Office chief Helen Bagasao said that city employees “rejoice in giving out the donation instead of receiving them.” “This is on top of their own donations,” Bagasao said. Vergara, wife of Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara, traditionally distributes noche buena items from her personal fund annually since the latter entered politics.
Danilo Reyes, a resident of Barangay Bangad here, admitted that receiving a gift pack from Vergara has been a
pre-Christmas joy for his family. “But sending it to a needy family in Samar is priceless and really great.” “This is pure humane act for people in dire need,” the mayor said.
