Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is STP Relief Fund Campaign a legitimate relief drive? A: STP Relief Fund Campaign is a legitimate campaign, operated by non-profit organizations in New York and California who are directly linking with a registered NGO in Mindanao, Philippines. Damayan is a 501(c)(3) organization based in New York City. It was founded in 2002 and has around 700-dues paying members, mainly Filipino migrant women workers in the New York and New Jersey area. People's CORE is a 501(c)(3) organization in Los Angeles, California. The agency was founded in 1996 with the mission to train, organize, and mobilize the Asian and Pacific Islander grassroots and larger community for systemic change. The relief funds will be sent to Moro People's CORE based in Mindanao, Philippines. Moro People's CORE is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines (SEC Registration No: CN201111296). The Mindanao-based agency will provide the donations to the hardest hit areas including Cagayan de Oro City. Q: How will I know that the money that I will donate will go to the victims of Typhoon Sendong? A: All donations will be acknowledged. In New York, Damayan will be responsible for receiving the donations and wiring it to the beneficiary organization. In California, People's CORE will be responsible for receiving and wiring the donations. In 2009, Damayan wired $4,637.00 and sent around 30 balikbayan boxes to the beneficiary organizations back then who then facilitated the distribution of resources to the communities affected by Typhoon Ondoy. Also that same year, People's CORE sent $7,119.43 to the beneficiary organization, Ang Kalusugan para sa Pinoy (AKAP), along with 174 balikbayan boxes that assisted 15,000 individuals in communities affected by Typhoon Ondoy. These areas included Makati, Manila, Mandaluyong City, Paranaque, Pasig, Taguig, Pateros, Pasay, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela. Q: Will the organizations accept canned goods or used clothing for the relief drive? A: No. While Damayan and People's CORE collected used clothing and canned goods in the past for the Typhoon Ondoy Relief Drive in 2009, it will be time consuming and challenging to do so again at this time given the urgent needs of those severely affected by Typhoon Sendong. The organizations participating in the current relief campaign for Northern Mindanao will only be collecting monetary donations, as they will help to provide the most immediate relief for the areas ravaged by Typhoon Sendong, as it is the most practical and convenient to provide to them. Sending goods will take at least 2 months before the affected communities will be able to receive them. Q: Will Damayan and People's CORE get a cut from the donations that they receive? A: No. Neither Damayan or People's CORE will not charge any administrative cost or any cost for the services that we will offer. For any other inquiries, please contact Damayan or any of the participating organizations directly. |   |