Gov’t airlifts relief packs to quake-affected areas

WHILE the retrieval and relief operations continue in the earthquake-devastated towns in Negros Oriental, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7), Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force joined efforts since last Sunday to airlift food to remote villages in Negros Oriental that were affected by the earthquake.

Around 200 DSWD relief packs containing packed rice, canned goods, bottled water and used clothing were airlifted by the Air Force to barangay Owacan in Jimalalud town.

Another 180 food packs and other relief items were also airlifted to barangays Eli and Pacuan in Jimalalud.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army also helped the DSWD-7 in delivering 250 food packs to barangay Planas in Guihulngan. Another 450 family packs with used clothing and bottled water were transported to barangay Villegas in Guilhulngan by military trucks.

DSWD-7 Ma. Evelyn Macapobre reported an initial assistance of more than P17 million were extended to the towns of Ayungon, Bindoy, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Manjuyod, Tayasan and Vallehermoso and the city of Guihulngan.

Macapobre said goods already delivered were rice, water, canned goods, used clothing, mats, blankets, slippers, cooking and eating utensils and soap.

At the DSWD-7 office in Cebu City, relief workers are continuously packing goods to meet the demands of the earthquake-stricken areas.