KALIBO, Aklan– The Ilonggo Association of Victoria in Australia has started raising funds for relief goods to the bush fire victims in Australia.
Patricia Granada- Gutierrez, president of the Association from Arevalo, Iloilo, said they started making appeal through their ‘kababayans’ in Melbourne, Victoria through social media starting last weekend to help the bush fire victims.
“The response was overwhelming. Everyone wants to help in any way they can. We are grateful to Australia who gave us the opportunity to come and have a good life. Now, Australia needs us. It’s time that we give back,” she said.
The said association is scheduled to repack their collected relief goods this weekend. The relief goods will be then sent to various drop-off points of both the eastern and western suburbs.
Report said some Filipinos and other nationalities, mainly Australians, are victims of the tragedy in Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia.
“Right now, fund raising is still ongoing, so, many people, not only Filipinos, came forward to give their donations in kind and in cash,” she added.
Jennifer Campos from Negros Occidental, the treasurer of the association, said that Filipinos in Australia are prone to health issues because of the haze brought by the bush fires.
“We are far from the largest bush fires in Australia, but we still experience the haze. When we go out, we should wear face mask for protection,” she said.
The association has hundreds of members in Victoria./PN/
