FROM THE OFFICE OF SEN PACQUIAO
Presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao has dispatched the first batch of relief goods that were directed to Cebu province and the nearby island of Bohol to help those affected by Typhoon “Odette.”
Loaded and airlifted to Cebu were more than 31.2 metric tons of assorted relief items consisting 2,400 kilograms of complete food packs (5 kg rice, canned goods and instant coffee); 21,000 kilograms or 4,200 pieces of rice packs; 2,495 kilograms of assorted food packs without rice; 330 kilograms food packs with rice but without canned goods; 479 kilograms food packs without coffee; and 302 kilograms or 36 boxes of bottled water from the Office of Vice-President Leni Robredo.
Pacquiao said the relief goods will be turned over to Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia for distribution in areas badly hit by Odette.
Garcia has already declared that she will not support Pacquiao’s presidential bid.
“This is the time to set aside politics. Kailangang magtulungan ang lahat para maiparating natin ang tulong sa mga nangangailangan,” Pacquiao said.
“Huwag na muna natin pag-usapan ang pulitika. Huwag muna tayo maging busy sa pangangampanya. Maging busy tayo para mag ambag-ambag. Magtulungan tayo, ” Pacquiao said.
Around 5,000 bags of reliefs goods have also been packed by Pacquiao’s team in General Santos City and are ready to be transported and distributed to disaster-stricken areas.
Pacquiao personally supervised the repacking at his family warehouse at Brgy. Labangal, General Santos City.
The General Santos relief items contained noche buena packs and grocery bags.
Pacquiao said the relief items are part of the first salvo of his team’s “United Relief Operation” which seeks to mobilize a multi-partisan relief operation for the victims of Odette.
Since Friday night, Pacquiao has been in coordination with his staff, political leaders, supporters and even leaders of various political organizations to ensure the availability and the immediate delivery of relief in areas hardest-hit by Odette.
Pacquiao said that he has also instructed his team to conduct ground and aerial survey in affected areas so they can identify which areas needs immediate support.
“Ina-identify pa natin kung saan talaga ang nasalanta ng bagyo, ” Pacquiao told media at his repacking warehouse in General Santos City.