MANILA, Nov. 20 (PNA) — The Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAiTH) steering committee intends to create a single multi-currency Treasury account to enable overseas Filipinos and other individuals and organizations to easily deposit their donations for the victims of calamities, a Palace official said.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said during a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday that the FAiTH steering committee started finalizing the legal requisites and other requirements necessary to create a single multi-currency Treasury account.
The government launched on Monday the FAiTH website that will allow the public to monitor the status of foreign assistance to the country in response to disasters and calamities.
“After the launch of the FAiTH, appointed representatives from the agencies making up the FAiTH steering committee gathered to finalize the role that each agency will play in this pioneer project, as well as to lay out the succeeding steps for the development of FAiTH,” Lacierda said.
“Following the public’s favorable response to the launch of FAiTH, the steering committee coordinated with other government agencies that have also been accepting donations for the victims of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), chaired by Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas, is one of these; they are currently accepting donations through their Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) program,” he said.
The CFO received a total of PHP 526,384.00 and US$ 1,040 from fellow countrymen and other individuals in the Philippines and in countries like the USA, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Qatar as of November 19.
“This recent news from the CFO only highlights the solidarity and support our country has received in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda. The full details of donations already received by the CFO, including the names and countries of residence of the donors, amounts donated, and date received, will be published in FAiTH,” Lacierda said.
“As such, the steering committee has also decided to expand the scope of the information covered by the portal to include even donations made by individuals through the CFO,” he said.
With the creation of this account, Lacierda said the OFWs and other interested groups can go to our embassies abroad, make their contribution to the single multi-currency Treasury account, and receive an acknowledgement receipt.
“They (donors) will then be able to access FAiTH, where their donations will be uploaded, and view updates on how their donations have been used, as part of calamity assistance. In this way, the government will provide a transparent accounting to any and all who give assistance—from countries, multilateral organizations, and corporations, as well as individuals,” he said.
The launch of FAiTH consists of tracking foreign aid initially for the victims of Typhoon “Yolanda,” and subsequently, for the victims of other calamities.
The details of foreign aid can be viewed individually, per donor country or organization; and they can also be viewed as part of the full report. (PNA)