Christmas week 2011 saw the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. and its partners bringing a measure of the season’s spirit to victims of typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro through its Hope Caravan relief operation.
Sendong survivors cut across socio-economic classes, age brackets, and gender demonstrating the severity of the natural calamity that affects all. Cagayan de Oro City is the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental. Dubbed locally as the “City of Golden Friendship” (Dakbayan sa Bulawanong Panaghigala-ay in Cebuano, as the city’s seal proudly displays) for the camaraderie and hospitality that are inherent and traditional traits of its people.
Sendong survivors cut across socio-economic classes, age brackets, and gender demonstrating the severity of the natural calamity that affects all. Cagayan de Oro City is the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental. Dubbed locally as the “City of Golden Friendship” (Dakbayan sa Bulawanong Panaghigala-ay in Cebuano, as the city’s seal proudly displays) for the camaraderie and hospitality that are inherent and traditional traits of its people.
   | Cagayan de Oro is considered as the Melting Pot of Mindanao noted for its accessibility, business growth, attractions and mostly because of its warm and hospitable people. A growing and highly-urbanized metropolis , the 2010 Census placed the population at 602,088 inhabitants, making it the 10th most populous city in the Philippines. One of the problems of the city is environmental in nature with coastal pollution and solid waste management topping the list. Many environmentalists see these as a reason for the devastating flooding brought about by Sendong. TYKFI and partners reached 10,000 families, with each one receiving one bucket of assorted biscuits, three bottles of water, and blanket. On the first day of relief operation Fo Guang Shan provided bread in addition to the blankets they provided which came from Taiwan. Foundation partners who reached out during the Christmas season include: Fo Guang Shan/IBPS, Manila, Buddha’s Light International Association, FO Guang Shan Compassion Foundation, Philippine Airlines, Tanduay Distillers, Inc., Department of Social Welfare & Development Region X, and the Local Government Unit. Just as 2012 started, Hope Caravan went back to Cagayan de Oro for the second tranche of assistance for Sendong’s victims. Relief packages containing clothes, slippers, and medicines were distributed and a medical mission with Tanduay Distillers reached numerous families. PNB conducted a fund drive among its employees towards purchase of kitchen utensils and food items. PAL airlifted the donations to Cagayan de Oro. In coordination with DSWD, the following areas and beneficiaries were reached by Hope Caravan Second Tranche. Location No. of families (recipient)
Among the victims reached by Hope Caravan were employees of Allied Bank, PNB, Tanduay, AirPhilippines, PAL, ABI, Tanduay Sales, and Fortune Tobacco. |