GMA Relief Fail
First, with all the suffering going on for those affected by the floods, why would you dress up to make an appearance during relief efforts?
And to put some more salt on the wounds of the people, and those who have dedicated so much hard work and energy to assist their brothers and sisters in the Philippines, Arroyo’s regime decides not to accept used clothing donations due to a nonenforced 1966 law and to tax any monetary donations not going through her own government channels.
South San Francisco, Calif. – By virtue of Republic Act (RA) 4653, which was passed in 1966, LBC Mundial Corporation (LBC USA) can no longer accept donations of used clothing in behalf of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) beginning October 8.
LBC was informed of this directive from the Philippine government only last October 7 at a community meeting at the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in San Francisco.
The meeting, organized by local Filipino community leaders, was held to discuss fundraising activities for the families affected by typhoon Ondoy.
“Used clothing as donations is prohibited under Republic Act No. 4653, thus the Bureau of Customs can seize/apprehend said importation,” stated a letter to the community from Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr.
IDGI. My parents have been sending used clothing for years without any acknowledgment of this law by customs. Now with many trying their best to assist the Philippines, GMA is trying to create even more bureaucratic red tape and make it harder for folks to help. This would mean that donations made through other local organizations in the Philippines will be taxed and possibly not arrive. Ridiculous.
-Ninoy Brown
October 14th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Wow that’s sad. and to think, as we are nodding our heads of disapproval, our people are oblivious to the selfish acts of GMA.