Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered the creation of a website that will track the foreign aid being brought in for victims of super typhoon Yolanda, Malaca?ang said on Friday, Nov. 15.
Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson, said in a media briefing that the website could be launched in as little as a week?s time.
She said Aquino particularly wants the website to display the aggregate amount of the aid being coursed through the government, as well as the accountable persons and agencies.
The online site should also include the details such as the place where the aid was funneled and the status of the assistance, according to Valte, citing Aquino’s direction.
Valte also said the Department of Foreign Affairs has been preparing the matrix on the foreign aid.
As of Friday, the DFA said it has monitored 43 international donors that have pledged or have already sent assistance amounting to P5.4 billion or $126.8 million.
?The DFA, as the focal point on international assistance, is focusing on coordinating initial contact with foreign governments and international organizations intending to render humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts,? said DFA assistant secretary Raul S. Hernandez.
?We undertake a verification process, which involves getting official notification from the foreign government or international organization before the information is added to the list,? he added.
Meanwhile, the DFA said it has received heartwarming reports from embassies and consulates about the various initiatives of Filipino communities abroad to help their fellow Filipinos who have been affected by this disaster.
For instance, the DFA said the Bayanihan Council, the umbrella organization of all Filipino community groups in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, United Arab Emirates immediately sent relief funds amounting to P110,000 to the Philippine Red Cross.
The embassy in Kuala Lumpur, together with the Filipino community in Malaysia, was also was able to raise around P43,000 for donation also to the Philippine Red Cross. ? with reports from PNA
