By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
After earlier spearheading an aid caravan to Typhoon-Opong affected Masbate and quake-devastated Cebu, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) partook in the swift mobilization of relief efforts on the heels of a “doublet” earthquake that rocked Davao Region on Friday.
PCSO personnel from its Davao Branch Office, in collaboration with authorized agent corporations (AACs) Jambhala Gaming Corporation, Felicity Games and Amusement Corporation, and Plutus Gaming Corporation, were among those that first responded and brought assistance to the earthquake victims.
Despite encountering major logistical challenges, including impassable roads initially leading to the epicenter in Manay, the combined team swiftly redirected efforts to the neighboring town of Tarragona.
The agency was able to distribute food packs and gallons of mineral water to more than 500 affected families in Tarragona, amid the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit the same area on Friday night.
PCSO General Manager Mel Robles said of the relief drive, “PCSO’s extensive network of 73 branches and AACs nationwide enables us to respond quickly and efficiently to affected communities, ensuring timely delivery of aid.”
GM Robles moreover reaffirmed PCSO’s dedication to mobilizing assistance to calamity-affected areas in the Philippines, and the agency’s oneness with Filipinos as they recover from the impact of natural disasters.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, continued to provide emergency relief to affected communities in Manay town, such as two mobile kitchens and two mobile command centers to help in restoring communication lines and ensure sufficient food supply for the displaced residents.
DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) Director Maria Isabel Lanada said, “Agad-agad po sa direktiba ni Secretary Gatchalian, pinadala ‘yong aming specialized protection vehicles para makapagbigay ng WiFi at magkaroon ng communication line ang ating mga kababayan, dahil nawalan agad ng kuryente lalo na sa Manay.”
The DRMB official likewise shared the agency’s conduct of psychosocial first aid sessions to address signs of disaster fatigue on quake-affected individuals in Davao Oriental and Cebu.
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