UPDATE: Task Force NOAH for survivors of floods in Cotabato City

Reposting the article by Marc Reuben Cuento, Disaster Response Program Manager of Simbahang Lingkod Ng Bayan, regarding SLB's response to the flooding situation in Cotabato City. Things are getting better versus when I first posted about the floods here but help is still needed. How to be of assistance to survivors of the floods can be found at the following article's end.

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On June 18, residents of Cotabato City woke up from the previous night’s rainfall to find their house submerged at least waist deep in water in the wake of a spill over from Rio Grande River. More than 2,500 families were forced to evacuate from their houses as sustained downpour over the weekend caused water levels to rise further.

It was the discovered the same morning that a 20-hectare mass of decomposing hyacinths have formed an artificial island that caused clogging in the city’s tributaries and canals, which was the subsequent cause of flooding especially in the suburban areas.

In the midst of all this, the parishioners of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral Parish have been helping out with their volunteer relief efforts, led by Fr. Edwin Degracias, DCC.

Eleven days later, the flood water has still not subsided in many areas due to continued rainfall and the influx of more hyacinths from the. At least 1000 families remain displaced from their homes, and relief efforts are being sustained to meet their needs. In the absence of any strong downpour in the next week, the flood water levels should recede.

As of June 30, 2011, donations amounting to at least Php500,000 have been sent to Cotabato City through SLB's generous network of donors, Php275,000 of which was spent on rice.

SLB is currently working with Miriam College regarding their upcoming disaster response campaign.

For Cash Donation, you can visit the SLB office at Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan road, Loyola Heights Quezon City, or deposit to

SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN (Account name/payee)
Bank of the Philippine Islands, Loyola Katipunan Branch
BPI PESO Checking Account Number 3081-1111-61
BPI Dollar Savings Account Number 3084-0420-12
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM
ROUTING NO: 021 – 0000 – 21
BANKS THAT MAY RECEIVE DEPOSITS FOR BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ACCOUNTS

FOR THOSE IN UNITED STATES:

JP MORGANS BANK
BANK OF AMERICA

FOR THOSE IN EUROPE:

COMMERCE BANK
DEUTSCHE BANK
SOCIETE GENERALE BANK

FOR THOSE IN ASIA:

ANY BANK ALL OVER ASIA

Please pass this message to your friends and network.

For more information, please contact SLB hotlines: in Manila 426-5968, or mobile number 0906-348-0476, or email slb@admu.edu.ph.