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MANILA, the Philippines – Less than a week after Typhoon Ketsana killed at least 277 and left an estimated 380,000 homeless in and around Manila, the Philippines is battening down the hatches as another powerful typhoon moves closer.
Parma, or Pepeng to locals, is expected to hit Metro Manila and Northern Luzon by late evening Friday. The super typhoon is gathering strength into a category 5 typhoon and is expected to pack winds of 195 kph near the centre and gusts of up to 210 kph. It could be one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country since November 2006 when Typhoon Durian tore through central Philippines. Meanwhile, another storm is also being forecast to follow Parma.
The government has placed soldiers and civilian emergency teams on alert even as the relief work continues five days after Typhoon Ketsana dumped record-high rain that submerged 80 percent of the capital and nearby areas, destroying more than $100 million in crops, infrastructure and property.
On Wednesday, Ford Group Philippines (FGP) handed a check of 1 million pesos ($21,125) to the Philippines National Red Cross to aid in its relief efforts. Ford Philippines partners are also rendering volunteer work through the Philippine Red Cross Laguna Chapter and AMCHAM.
While employee attendance has improved at FGP's operations, the number affected by the tropical storm has increased to 120, with two-thirds of them incurring major damage to their homes and property. FGP is continuing to quickly provide calamity cash assistance and calamity loans through the employee cooperative.
At the same time, FGP is taking care of customers with flooded vehicles, such as working with dealers to increase capacity for repairs, issuing a press release advising owners what to do, and assuring them that the dealers will accept all vehicles in need of repair.
Employees who would like to contribute to the ongoing relief efforts can do so in the following ways:
1. For international cash donations
Bank: Banco de Oro (BDO)
Code: BNORPHMM
Acct. No: 4948003135
Acct. Name: Philippine National Red Cross Laguna Chapter
Contact person: Rudelly Cabutin , Red Cross Administrator
Contact number: (049) 5011929 or (049) 5011114
Telefax: (049) 8104904
Email Address: laguna@redcross.org.ph
2. For those in the Philippines
Cash donations to affected partners can be made through the employee cooperative
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Account Name: Ford Philippines Employees Cooperative
Account Number: 1381-0015-78
Branch: Laguna Technopark EPZA Branch (Laguna Technopark Biñan Laguna)
Swift Code:BOPIPHMM
Contact person: Arni Rifareal (arifarea@ford.com)