The death toll from the December 4, 2012 Typhoon Bopha (called typhoon Pablo in the Philippines) tops 1,000 and is expected to rise with 844 still missing and 1.2 million families displaced in Mindanao Southern Philippines.
A lawmaker from Hawaii, Vice Speaker Elect John Mizuno (D-Kalihi Valley, Lower Kalihi, Kamehameha Heights) will participate in the short “run” to raise proceeds for the victims of Typhoon Pablo in the Philippines.
The “Santa Run for a Cause” will take place in Dumaguete City, Negros, a province near Mindanao on December 19, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in Quezon Park. (Note: Philippine Time is 18 hours ahead of Hawaii Standard Time)
According to Rep. Mizuno, “My family here in Negros was affected by typhoon Bopha as they were hit with flooding and their electricity was out for several days, but no fatalities. My heartfelt condolences to our victims of typhoon Pablo, as my family was spared we will do what we can to provide support and assistance to our hurting people in Mindanao. I am also planning to talk to public officials here in Negros and perhaps Mindanao on holding a disaster preparedness conference in their region. It saddens me to witness such a natural calamity which caused catastrophic damage to many areas which were in years past not prone to typhoons. No doubt global warming has been a game changer in climate patterns in the southern region of the Philippines as we were also hit with Typhoon Washi (called typhoon Sendong in the Philippines) in December 16, 2011 in the same area taking 1,268 lives. This is a deadly pattern and we need to ascertain a plan of action to better prepare this regions’ people.”
Submitted by Rep. John Mizuno