Give it back: Maawa po tayo sa mga biktima ng Lapu-Lapu

By Rey Fortaleza, Oly

When people opened their wallets and cheque books after the 2025 Lapu-Lapu tragedy, malinaw yung nasa isip nila: they are donating to help survivors and the families of those who died.

As to why many survivors and families did not receive enough support despite the huge amount raised, that is a question that remains unanswered.

What is clear is that several organizations, including Lapu-Lapu festival organizer Filipino BC, got most of the donations intended for victims.

Based on what we know, at least $2 million were contributed. About a quarter or nearly $500,000 went to the Filipino BC. The same group also got $500,000 in additional funding from the B.C. provincial government.

In addition to its nearly $500,000 share from the $2 million coursed through United Way BC’s Kapwa Strong Fund, meron pang nakuhang extra $50,000 ang Filipino BC from the Kapwa Fund.

And the rest, pinaghati-hatian ng iba’t-ibang organizations.

Ngayon, nagtatanong si Vancouver-Kensington MLA Mable Elmore: meron bang natirang pondo sa mga nakuha ng mga asosasyon?

Kasi, kung meron, ang sabi ni Mable, ay isauli na lang para ito ay ibigay sa mga survivors at pamilya ng namatayan.

Simple lang naman ang panawagan ni Mable. Hindi naman siguro kalabisan na kung merong natira, ibigay na lang natin sa mga nasalanta ng Lapu-Lapu tragedy.

While Mable’s suggestion has been warmly embraced by the community, merong ilan-ilan na nag-iingay and they are attacking Mable. Bakit? Yan ang dapat nating malaman. Ayaw ba nilang tulungan ang mga biktima ng Lapu-Lapu? 

Besides, Mable is only asking for the return of whatever remaining funds they have. If they had spent the monies, then that’s that. But if there are leftover funds, why not just give these to victims and families?

Siguro naman ay dapat na hindi na natin pag-debatehan ito. Tumulong na lang po tayo. Sana maawa naman tayo sa mga biktima.

Sa dinami-dami ng news about financial irregularities sa Pilipinas, especially yung sa flood control and proceeds from illegal drugs, sana naman dito sa Canada ay hindi mabahiran ang ating community pag dating sa usapin sa pera, lalo na nga at it involves donations to victims of Lapu-Lapu.

I know that the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC or UFCABC is among those that received funds from United Way BC’s Kapwa Strong Fund. We also know that UFCABC gave everything to victims and survivors and families. Malinaw yan kung saan pumunta ang pera.

To recap from the list provided by Mable, here are the other organizations that received money at sana isauli na lang nila kung merong tiring pera:

• Alliance Philippines Cultural Heritage Association – $50,000
• Amici Curiae Friendship Society – $50,000
• Association for Neighbourhood Houses – Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House – $20,000
• Association for Neighbourhood Houses – South Vancouver Neighbourhood House – $49,483.12
• Bandits Community Foundation – $30,000
• Bibak Organization of British Columbia – $25,000
• British Columbia Bereavement Helpline – $25,000
• Dance West Network – $25,000
• Filipino Canadian Community & Cultural Society of British Columbia (Filipino BC) – $50,000
• Formative Motion Society – $25,000
• Gallery Gachet Society – $3,189.54
• GJ Multicultural Services Society – $65,000
• H.I.M. Health Initiative for Men’s Society – $25,000
• Himig Kabataan Cultural Society – $25,000
• Indigenous Wellness Training Society – $50,000
• Kathara Pilipino Indigenous Arts Collective Society – $25,000
• KCH Collective Society – $25,000
• Latincouver Cultural & Business Society – $55,000
• Mabuhay House Society – $75,000
• Maple Bamboo Network Society – $15,000
• Migrante BC – Filipino Society – $25,000
• Moving Forward Family Services – $25,000
• Multicultural Helping House Society – $25,000
• National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre Society – $25,000
• Philippine Cultural Arts Society of BC – $20,800
• Philippine Nurses Association, British Columbia, Canada – $25,000
• PNA Philippine Nurses Association – $50,000
• Pinoy Pride Vancouver Society – $25,000
• REACH Community Health Centre Association – $12,370
• Sher Vancouver LGBTQ Friends Society – $75,000
• St. John Society – $22,800
• The Landing Youth Centre Foundation – $49,955.27
• The Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society – $50,000
• University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia – $10,000
• Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art – $25,000
• VS. Creative Society – $25,000