Last year’s Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wrought death, havoc and dislocation to thousands of Filipinos in Metro Manila  and nearby provinces.

Realizing these catastrophe, Filipino-Australians in Qantas and Airports went into full gear mobilization  to assist the flood victims.

One of the fund raising activities was holding a raffle. The Qantas Fil-Oz found an ally in Matt Goebel the Operations Manager, Ramp, Baggage and Fleet Presentation in Sydney International Terminal.

He immediately approved the First major prize of round trip airfare for two, plus accommodation in Cairns. The Fund Raising Committee composed of Terry Paranthoine, Marie Greenwood, Betty Read and Bernie Mallary approached Peter Dickson for the other minor prizes.

A total of A$2,025.00 was raised and was sent to Citizens’ Disaster Response Centre, a United Nations fully accredited Relief Agency.

Migrante International, the biggest organization of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) implemented the distribution of the relief goods consisting of rice and canned goods to hundreds of stricken families.

Migrante International Chairperson Garry Martinez, representing 136 organizations in 23 countries all over the world and fighting for the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families who was in Sydney for the Founding Assembly of Migrante Australia took time to express the gratitude of the Filipino flood victims for the invaluable assistance they received through the auspices of Qantas.

In Garry’s words, the flood victims were heartened to learn the assistance came from Qantas as this is the first time they received assistance directly. The Philippine government receives all foreign assistance.

Contributed by: Fil-Oz Qantas & Airports