Pacquiao team steps up delivery of typhoon aid that even pets get relief

Senator Manny Pacquiao’s team during a relief operation in Cebu, which was battered by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) recently. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao’s team has stepped up their relief efforts in Typhoon Odette-ravaged areas that even pet animals will get relief.

Pacquiao, who is gunning for presidency via the May 2022 elections, said that around 20 bags of 20-kilogram dog food and other assorted relief goods for animals were donated by the Philippine Pet Birth Control and had asked his office to deliver them to Siargao island.

Aside from pet food, also scheduled to be airlifted to Siargao through Wings of Hope PH and Philippine Airlines which has partnered with Pacquiao’s office, are medicines, water, and assorted food packs.

Pacquiao said he has also turned over to Wings of Hope PH another 10 bags of 20-kilogram pet foods that were donated by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and around three tons of food, water, and medicines which will be delivered to Bohol through another airline partner Cebu Pacific Air.

Wings of Hope PH, which was organized solely to help provide aid to victims of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), has partnered with the Manny Pacquiao Foundation and United Relief Operation, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Tzu Chi Philippines to facilitate the distribution and delivery of relief items in storm-devastated areas.

Typhoon Odette is said to be the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year.

Pacquiao is known as a passionate dog lover. His dog named Pacman, a Jack Russel terrier, has been his constant training companion for 14 years until his death last year. Pacman’s demise broke the boxing legend’s heart that he even created a video tribute entitled “RIP Pacman” to honor the loyalty and friendship of his dog.

The video has since received 836,000 views.

“We also must take care of our pets. We need to help them, especially because our people tend to look after themselves and their families first. It is up to us to also help our pets in areas hit by Odette because they are suffering as well,” the senator said.

Pacquiao said he will gather more pet donations but the first batch of pet food will be delivered to Siargao as part of his relief efforts in the Caraga Administrative Region.

Around 15,000 bundles of assorted grocery and food packs are set to be dispatched Wednesday from General Santos City for the first wave of humanitarian aid in Caraga.

Pacquiao said he has also secured the support of the Sarangani provincial government to raise more aid and logistics support in Caraga and in other areas in Mindanao that were hit by the super typhoon.

“Aside from relief goods, we will also send generators and possibly some heavy equipment in the CARAGA including the nearby islands such as Siargao so that we can help speed up ongoing efforts to clear roadblocks and other debris,” Pacquiao said.

On Wednesday, Pacquiao said 10 metric tons of blankets, solar lights, and assorted food packs will be flown to Tacloban through a chartered cargo plane to provide relief in affected areas in the province of Leyte while another three metric tons of food and water are set to be flown to Butuan City via commercial flight and turned over to Mayor Ronnie Lagnada.

Pacquiao said he is thankful that some of his friends have already responded to his call for support as he noted that even some showbiz personalities have delivered various types of donations to his campaign headquarters in Makati City.

He also thanked Wings of Hope PH, which was formed by businessmen and professionals, for helping him extend aid to Odette victims.

Pacquiao likewise expressed his gratitude to Anabelle Rama and daughter Ruffa Gutierrez for donating boxes of canned sardines which would be part of relief bags for affected residents of  Leyte, Samar, and Palawan, among others.

“Napakarami talaga ang natamaan. We have to work hard to help them or risk the possibility of unrest including looting,” he said.