PAF transports 2.2K tons of relief goods to ‘Odette’-hit areas

MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has transported 2,275 tons of relief goods to areas affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

“As of today, the PAF transported a total of 2,275 tons of relief goods, such as rice, water, canned goods, and toiletries, as well as generator sets and water tanks,” PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano said in a statement Tuesday night.

The PAF also ferried 99 “locally stranded individuals” from Siargao to the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on December 28 alone, he added.

“Meanwhile, personnel from the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, along with several heavy equipment, were deployed from Basa Air Base to Mactan, Cebu to assist in the planning for recovery and rehabilitation of the typhoon-stricken areas,” Mariano said.

On Christmas Day, PAF aircraft transported relief goods to Siargao, Surigao, Bohol, and Mactan, Cebu from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

The PAF’s C-295, Fokker F-27, and NC-212i transport aircraft were used to bring 246 sacks of rice, five boxes of sardines, and 90 boxes of water, which will be distributed to those affected by “Odette”.

Two S-70i “Black Hawk” combat utility helicopters also delivered relief goods, 60 sacks of rice, and 30 sacks of assorted goods and medicine to Cagayancillo Island, Palawan.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army’s (PA) humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations continue in areas and communities ravaged by the typhoon.

Different PA units have intensified their HADR operations and participated in the rehabilitation efforts in Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Occidental, and other provinces in the Visayas devastated by the typhoon, Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Tuesday night.

“The Army Reserve Command and other engineer battalions committed to the road-clearing operations in collaboration with the local government units of the affected areas to ensure the speedy transport of relief supplies for the affected residents,” he added.

Meanwhile, troops of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) and 65th Infantry Battalion under the 4th Infantry Division supported the government’s relief operation in Barangay Cuarenta, San Jose, Dinagat Islands.

The 30th Infantry Battalion also provided transportation assistance to the stranded individuals going to the Port of Dapa and airport in Del Carmen, Siargao Islands.

Other PA units in Eastern Visayas, northern and eastern Mindanao have been assisting the local government agencies in their disaster response efforts.

Army units not directly affected by “Odette” are focused on facilitating the donations of relief goods from private companies and individuals.

The 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Infantry Divisions partnered with the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) to facilitate consolidations and distributions of relief goods from stakeholders.

These divisions also pursued donation drives as they opened their lines for willing donors. Army units also joined hands with other major services of the Armed Forces in transporting and distributing relief goods to the affected areas.

Meanwhile, PA Chief, Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. acknowledged the troops’ efforts in helping “Odette”-affected citizens.

He directed all units to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to use available resources to support the affected residents to return to their normal lives.

“To our soldiers, once again, the Filipino people need our services, especially during this trying time. Let us give them a little comfort by doing our best in continuing humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. To our fellow Filipinos in affected areas, do not lose hope. Rest assured that we will stand with you during these challenges. Together, we will rebuild communities,” Brawner said.