Manila City gov’t volunteers continue relief operations in areas hit by ‘Odette’

Volunteers from the Manila City government conduct their relief operations in areas still reeling from the devastation of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — Volunteers from the local government of Manila are continuing their relief operations in areas still reeling from the devastation of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan.

This was according to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who is also leading preparations of local hospitals, stockpiling of medicines, and mass vaccinations in the wake of a renewed surge in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.

On Thursday, Moreno’s wife, Dynee, went to Southern Leyte to distribute relief packs to affected residents of Barangay Tampoong in the town of Sogod and Barangay Cabulihan in Maasin town.

In Sogod town, she was welcomed by Mayor Emi Tan, who also accompanied her in inspecting the damaged sea wall in Barangay Tampoong.

Thousands of residents went to the multi-purpose covered court in Barangay Tampoong to receive the relief packs, according to Moreno.

“Personal ko pong gustong makita ang inyong kalagayan at napakasuwerte ko po dahil kahit papano nasa maayos kayong kundisyon. Napakagaling ng inyong mayora at napakagaling ng kanilang pamilya dahil hindi nila kaya pinapabayaan,” she told Barangay Tampoong residents.

Earlier, Moreno’s wife went to Bohol and Antique to hand over relief goods consisting of food packs and bottled water to affected residents as part of “Operation Tabang” of Team Isko Moreno.

In Cebu, volunteers from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) assisted residents who still do not have a clean water supply.

On January 4, the MDRRMO Kaagapay Tanker supplied water at Metro Level in Barangay Apas and on January 5, in Barangay Maracas in coordination with the Cebu City Fire Volunteers.

Another MDRRMO team using Aison Rescue, Manlift basket was in charge of pruning felled trees in Barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City.

Volunteers from the Manila City government conduct their relief operations in areas still reeling from the devastation of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan. Contributed photo

Operation Tabang Team likewise conducted relief operations in Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Palawan with thousands of food packs given to residents affected by Odette.

Relief operations were also conducted in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. On January 3, relief packs were distributed in Barangays Langonan, Binduyan, Concepcion, Tanabag, San Rafael, Babuyan, Maoyan, Lucbuan and Maruguyon. Relief goods were also distributed in Barangays Manalo and Salvacion the following day.

In Surigao City, temporary shelter tents and relief packs were distributed Monday in various evacuation centers including Kaskag Gym in Barangay Washington (30 families); Gawad Kalinga in Barangay Luna (30 families), and Nueva Gym in Barangay Taft (30 families).

In Surigao del Norte, temporary shelter tents were distributed Tuesday to two island barangays: Barangay Talisay (20 tents) and Barangay San Jose (15 tents).

Last week, Team Isko Moreno relief packs were distributed in Barangays Cambagahan and Tamiso in Bais City, Negros Oriental.

Moreno earlier thanked Manila City Hall employees and MDRRMO volunteers who offered their time and effort to help and clear Odette-hit communities.