The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted relief transport operations and ferry missions nationwide on Monday (Dec.20) after Visayas and Mindanao have been battered by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette and are now mobilizing all their ships and boats to deliver tons of relief goods and humanitarian aids.
The initiative is a response to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to utilize all available assets and resources of the national government for the speedy recovery and rehabilitation of the most affected regions in the country.
Relief transport missions
BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) and BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) delivered 10 generator sets, 10 solar panels, 12 drums of gasoline, 400 sacks of rice, 50 rolls of tarpaulin, 20 trauma kits, 16 portable stretchers, boxes of canned goods, food packs, blankets, boxes of drinking water, medicines, vitamins and medical supplies have been brought to Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502) delivered 150 repair kits, 30 inflatable shelters, 20 boxes of blankets, food packs and bottled waters to Sipalay City, Negros Occidental from Iloilo.
BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) transported displaced tourists and local residents of Siargao Island to Surigao City after sea vessels in the island were destroyed by the storm surges brought by Typhoon Odette.
BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) left Manila Port on Sunday (Dec.19) to deliver food packs and hygiene kits to Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. Auxiliary Commander Gerald Anderson also donated sacks of rice and boxes of mineral water that were ferried by BRP Gabriela Silang. The vessel is expected to dock in Surigao del Norte on Tuesday morning (Dec. 21).
In their Dec. 20 update, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued a total of 1,032 affected residents and evacuated almost 12,000 individuals in Northeastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Palawan, amid the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.
The PCG also has responded to 115 maritime incidents, 90 of which occurred in Central Visayas. The majority of these maritime incidents were vessels that ran aground, were half-submerged, and reported missing.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard thanked their donors from different organizations and private individuals who sent goods and humanitarian aid to the affected people in Visayas and Mindanao.
The PCG encouraged people who wanted to share in-kind and cash donations through their PCG Support System Foundation Inc.
All in-kind donations may be brought to their Coast Guard Base in Farola, Muelle dela Industria, Farola Compound, Binondo, Manila. -Report from Bea Bernardo/CC-rir
