Ad firms urged: Donate used tarps to ‘Yolanda’ victims

MANILA, Philippines–The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Wednesday urged billboard operators and outdoor advertising agencies to donate used tarpaulins for families displaced by monster typhoon Yolanda as it can be used to make improvised shelters.

“Instead of these tarpaulins rotting in their warehouses, it is better that advertising agencies hand them over to government relief units where it can be put to good use,” the MMDA Chief Francis Tolentino said.

Tarpaulins, he said, particularly the large ones, can be rigged as improvised tents for homeless families in Leyte and Samar as it is flexible and waterproof.

“Many residents have lost their homes and even evacuation centers have been destroyed. We have to send all the help we can to these people so they can recover the soonest possible time,” the MMDA chief said.

During the onslaught of typhoon Pablo in Mindanao in December 2012, a truckload of confiscated tarpaulins was sent to New Bataan, Compostela Valley and Cateel, Davao Oriental. These were used as roofing materials for improvised shelters.

This time, MMDA said it has started to collect confiscated billboard materials and tarpaulins under its Baklas Billboard operations against disobedient advertising companies.

On Tuesday, a 200-man MMDA contingent was also deployed to Tacloban to lead the road clearing operations and assist relief organizations in rebuilding the shattered city of 220,000 people.

The humanitarian assistance team was composed of civil engineers, carpenters, electricians, laborers, mechanics, drivers, welders, radio operators, and nurses.