12 January 2015 – The Department of Foreign Affairs led by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario, turned over a check in the amount of Php 2,430,907.74 to the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) for the construction of six-classrooms in Caibaan Elementary School in Tacloban City. Classrooms in the identified school were destroyed during Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.
The amount was raised from the voluntary contributions given by DFA officers and staff in the Foreign Service and Home Office the Department's "Two-Days-For Tacloban" campaign appeal. Together with funds raised from "One-Day for Bohol and Cebu", a total of Php 3,890,543.97 has been collected as of September 2014 and is now in a Typhoon Fund account.
PDRF's Project Director Melissa O. Lavente, received the check on behalf of the Foundation during the DFA Awarding Ceremony held on 16 December 2014 at Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini. With them during the turnover ceremony were Undersecretary for Administration Linglingay F. Lacanlale and Assistant Secretary for Personnel and Administrative Services Melita S. Sta. Maria-Thomeczek.
PDRF is a non-governmental organization which coordinates disaster management projects from preparedness to relief and then to recovery. It is co-chaired by Mr. Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Mr. Manuel V. Pangilian, and Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle.
The DFA Typhoon Fund also gave a total of Php 875,000 to DFA personnel whose relatives and homes were affected by Yolanda in Tacloban, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Bagui City.
When Yolanda hit on November 2013, the Department appealed again for voluntary donations for Two Days for Tacloban. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs gave P813,599. One Appeal Plan donated Php 200,000 while from the DFA Employees Typhoon Fund, an amount of Php200,000 was allocated which purchased relief goods for RCO personnel in Tacloban City.
The DFA voluntary contributions to the typhoon fund varied but it was noteworthy that some contributed not only two days but more and one ambassador donated 6 months' worth of salaries.
Beneficiaries for Bohol and Cebu are still being identified in the aftermath of the earthquake which hit these provinces in October 2013. END