Ifugao Victims of Typhoon Ompong

Typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong) destroyed lives and properties in the Philippines, especially in Baguio and Benguet. The typhoon set off a landslide in a mining village called Itogon burying small-scale miners and their families. Some of these miners come from Ifugao, one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. They moved temporarily to Itogon, for economic reasons. Unfortunately, the typhoon ended their lives and their hope of an additional income for their families. Their families need assistance, to rebuild. Funds raised will be divided among the affected families based on a list that will be provided to the Ifugao Association of Canada, Inc. (IAC)by the Ifugao Provincial Government. The IAC is a non-profit organization whose members are Ifugaos who are in Canada, specifically from the Greater Toronto Area. Some of our members have relative-victims of the landslide. Currently, I, Ernie Puguon, am an Adviser of the Ifugao Association of Canada, Inc. I used to be the the President, for 2 years (2013 and 2014). I and other key officers of the Association spearheaded this campaign as we have done in the past, specifically the IFUGAO SCHOLARSHIP FUND that raised almost $6000 (a third of this amount through GoFundMe). As of October 1, 2018, we have raised approximately $8,000 for the IFUGAO-VICTIMS OF TYPHOON OMPONG. About $3,000 was through this campaign and the rest were through donations sent directly to the Ifugao Association of Canada. We are currently working with our contacts at the Ifugao Provincial Government, to provide us with the official list of Ifugao victims. Based on the list, we will divide all of the amounts raised, accordingly. The financial assistance will be given to the victims' families, to help them in their rebuilding efforts. All of the related documents covering the campaign and the distribution of donations raised  will be available for donors to this campaign  and members of the Ifugao Association of Canada. I am a Filipino-Canadian but, more importantly, a native of Ifugao, working with other Ifugaos in Canada to help our fellow Ifugaos who are victims of the tragedy.