In an effort to assist people affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines, the Church has made a $25,000 donation to the Philippine Embassy here.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Council of the Twelve presented the check Sept. 6 to Deputy Chief of Mission Franklin Ebdalin, representing Ambassador Emmanuel Pelaez, who was in the Philippines working with the volcano problem."It is our hope that these funds will in some way assist those who have suffered and lost so much as a result of the devastation delivered upon the Philippines by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo," Elder Ballard said.

Representatives of the Philippine-American Foundation will administer the fund.

"A close relationship has developed between Ambassador Pelaez and your Church," Ebdalin noted. "We are aware of the past assistance of your church and accept this check on behalf of our people who will benefit so greatly."

Irene Natividad, executive director of the Philippine-American Foundation, told Beverly Campbell, the Church's International Affairs director, "This significant contribution will help with housing for the 1 million people who have been dislocated due to the Mt. Pinatubo fire and mud slides."

Mt. Pinatubo's spewing of fire, molten lava, and ash continues to cover one-third of the country in the central region of Luzon since its eruption June 15. Volcanologists have no predictions as to when the havoc will cease.

In presenting the check, Elder Ballard explained that the funds came from fast offerings of individual members of the Church as a demonstration of the personal commitment they make to their belief in serving mankind.

"We have many men and women performing community service both in your country and elsewhere in the world who are merely trying to do what Jesus Christ would have them do to help relieve suffering," Elder Ballard told the delegation.

He said the Church has worked extensively with its members in the Philippines who have been affected by the ongoing eruption.

"Through our Church leaders in the Philippines, we have contributed more than 6,000 hours of volunteer labor and amounts in excess of $130,000 in the form of labor, equipment, transportation, survival supplies, clothing and direct relief to disaster victims," Elder Ballard related.

There are more than 237,000 Church members in the Philippines.

In past years, the Church has contributed funds to the Philippine people for disaster relief from an earlier earthquake and a massive typhoon.