Comments on: Our Fourth Trip Up North, to the Hilltop Barangays of Tabuelan and San Remigio, Cebu…

By: Ben Carmona

Ben Carmona — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 08:53:44 +0000

We have a small group of volunteers coming from the US to help out. We’re hearing that work trucks and vans are needed so I was considering donating my jeep and having shipped to overseas. However, sounds like that could get expensive so I read it may be better to just purchase a truck once in the Philippines.

1. Can a US citizen purchase a vehicle in the Philippines?

2. Anyone have sources to purchase a vehicle or maybe donate one to the group we’ll be working with?

Thank you

Ben C

By: MP

MP — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 10:04:03 +0000

@corrine, rehab will be a very, very long haul. Some parts of Aceh have yet to fully recover after the 2004 earthquake & tsunami… And that’s just one province.. I am not happy with how our government has handled the emergency relief operations but i hope they will do much better with the rehab efforts..

By: corrine

corrine — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 09:09:23 +0000

Thank you MM and crew for all your efforts. From the news, rehabilitation is going to be a long haul.

By: natie

natie — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 13:26:25 +0000

Hello, MM.. The Holidays are busy times. Looking forward to The Tree. How’s The Dog? I miss him …

Papa Ethan, I saw that in the news last night. It is revolting! The lowest of the low… The sad truth is that Justice may not be served..

By: Papa Ethan

Papa Ethan — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:52:31 +0000

Sorry, here’s the correct link for the news video clip:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/185631/24oras/ibinebentang-mre-sa-pwesto-sa-mall-sa-makati-mabilis-na-naglaho

The url I earlier posted is just a news tidbit, no video.

By: Marketman

Marketman — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:45:35 +0000

Papa Ethan, that’s horrible. I agree, folks like that should fry. Faust, we did think about that, like a stamp pad for an event or bazaar, but decided against it. For the most part, folks are orderly and fair. As usual, there are only ever a few spoilers in each town and it’s easy to handle that if the crowd remains under control which it did for the most part of our experiences up North. Rebecca, yes, we wanted to get it directly to users, and cut out all the layers in between. That’s what the real challenge was and the logistics considerations are immense. Susie, will keep that in mind and try to get to other barangays in future… Thanks to all. Sorry for the trickle of posts, just really busy these days, but more posts up soon.

By: Papa Ethan

Papa Ethan — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:39:01 +0000

Here’s the news clip for those who are interested:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/photo/49565/us-military-meals-found-illegally-sold-in-makati-store

By: Papa Ethan

Papa Ethan — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:30:51 +0000

Featured in the TV news yesterday were these two characters who were openly selling packs of MRE (meals ready-to-eat). The packaging of the meals clearly and explicitly state that these are from the U.S. Department of Defense and that they were not to be sold. One of the “traders” brazenly sold the goods in his stall at a mall;the other offered it online. When news reporters tried to do a follow-up story, the merchandise mysteriously disappeared at its outlets.

The sheer callousness of such people is utterly appalling. They truly deserve to be meted out some form of severe punishment. That is, if they get caught. Obviously, there is a well-entrenched syndicate that has perfected the system of pilfering foreign relief goods to be sold for profit.

By: Faust

Faust — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 12:06:31 +0000

Hey MM is it possible to have indelible ink marked on their hands to avoid double entries or whatsover? I think its in the system of distributing goods my teaspoon of salt. cheers!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 19:33:21 +0000

Getting those goods directly to the people in need and not into the hands of the politicians and corrupt officials is such a big accomplishment. It’s not an easy task or goal to accomplish. With your hard work and perseverance you succeeded.
Thank you so much for your work and Godspeed on your current and future missions, Market Manila.