THE UST Simbahayan Community Development Office, in partnership with the Central Student Council, has launched a Tulong Tomasino relief drive for communities affected by the recent string of typhoons and monsoon rains.
Why it matters: Communities in the Philippines have been hit by the heavy southwest monsoon or habagat rains, intensified by typhoons “Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong,” which left 25 people dead and caused an estimated P3.9 billion damage in infrastructure and P366 million in agriculture, based on National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council data as of Friday.
Accepted donations: Cash and in-kind donations such as ready-to-eat canned goods, noodles, rice, food items that can be stored, mineral water, toiletries, alcohol, sanitary pads or napkins, and school supplies. Clothes will not be accepted.
Cash donation channel: Monetary support may be sent directly to UST’s bank account.
- Account Name: University of Santo Tomas
- Bank: Security Bank Corporation UST Branch
- Account No.: 0171-008012-009
- SWIFT Code: SETCPHMM
In-kind donation dropoff: Donations in kind may be dropped off at the lobby of the Tan Yan Kee Student Center until Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Sundays.
Effects of typhoons and habagat to UST: Special term classes and office operations were suspended for five straight days beginning Monday, as the University experienced ankle- to waist-deep flooding.
- Ground floors of some UST buildings, such as the St. Raymund de Peñafort Building in Dapitan and the Central Seminary, were flooded, prompting a campus-wide cleanup as early as Wednesday.
- Manila, where UST is located, has also been placed under state of calamity.
Background: Tulong Tomasino is a recurring relief drive of the community development arm of the University, previously mobilizing donations for victims of typhoons “Kristine” and “Pepito” in 2024. Czeantal Naomi P. de los Santos
