The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has continued with its relief transport missions to bring assistance to areas that continue to recover from the massive damage of Typhoon Odette.
The government’s BRP Capones sailed on Thursday (Dec. 23) to deliver food, water, and other supplies to 300 families affected by the typhoon in Pag-asa Island.
Among the items carried by the PCG are toys to be distributed to typhoon-affected children in light of the Yuletide season. Some 2,000 liters of gasoline and 16 portable generator sets were also safely transported from Manila to Cebu and Bohol.
The coast guard likewise delivered the initial batch of assistance on Wednesday (Dec. 22) to Dinagat Islands, which includes 540 rice sacks, 30 boxes of instant noodles, relief packs, and drinking water.
PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said small assets of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) manned by the PCG will be utilized in the distribution of aid to distant provinces.
“‘Pag dumating po ‘yung mga relief sa isang area, itong mga smaller vessel ang siya pong gagamitin para pumunta naman doon sa mga probinsiya,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy delivered through the BRP Tarlac some 350,000 kgs of relief goods to Visayas and Mindanao from government agencies and the private sector.
For its part, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board assisted the affected transport sector in Surigao del Norte.
The Philippine Ports Authority said in a statement that relief operations are prioritized in ports to endure that “needed relief and recovery items and equipment get to where they are needed in the fastest possible time.”
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said a special lane has been established for the document and clearance processing of cargoes for relief operations. Passenger and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) terminal fees are also cancelled until Jan. 20, 2022.
The PPA said they are expediting the repair of damaged ports as several ports remain unoperational since the typhoon’s onslaught. – Report from Karen Villanda/AG- jlo
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