The Republic of the Philippines, particularly the Luzon area, was devastated by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng and continues to brace itself for other storms that may come its way. Unfortunately, the damage has been done as evidenced by the stories and photos that have emerged in the media.

While numerous efforts are underway to accept donations of food, clothing and other essential items, my office has teamed up with the Ayuda Foundation to bring medicine and medical supplies and equipment to hard-hit areas. Due to the severity of the floods, water borne diseases are now prevalent in these affected communities. Many public health facilities have been damaged and overwhelmed treating the victims of these natural disasters.

I recently met with Ms. Luli Arroyo-Bernas, daughter of President Gloria Arroyo, who is spearheading disaster relief operations from Malacanag Palace. Together, we met officials from the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Health who assured us that donations from Guam of medicine and medical equipment would go directly to a hospital in the disaster zones.

We needed these guarantees in order to solidify the partnerships with Ayuda Foundation and their mainland counterparts, MedShare and Heart to Heart International. These mainland non-profits will help us leverage donated funds to secure the large quantities of medicine, equipment and supplies needed in the Philippines. Ayuda Foundation has done this in the past in Micronesia following severe typhoons.

The Amang Rodriguez Medical Center in Marikina City, which serves over 500,000 people, reported the most significant damages, estimated to be over $8 Million in losses to infrastructure and equipment. The PowerPoint below documents the five days immediately after Typhoon Ondoy and illustrates the sense of urgency in which we must act.

Additionally, we have discussed the possibility of sending a medical mission to northern Luzon and providing assistance there as well. Coming from a family of doctors and having gone on several medical missions to the Philippines with my father, the Late Dr. Ernesto Espaldon, I know first hand how important it is that we respond to this calamity and provide the support for the Filipino people’s medical needs. I appeal to you and your generous heart to give to this humanitarian effort.

Thank you, Si Yu’us Ma’ase and Maraming Salamat Po.

Senator Jim Espaldon