Humanitarian flights land in Cebu

Two C-130 cargo planes of the Royal Malaysian Air Force carrying relief kits and tents for earthquake survivors in Bohol landed last night at the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu, jumpstarting the expected influx of aid from international agencies.

The first aircraft touched down past 5 p.m. and was met at planeside by Philippine Air Force officials led by Major Gen. Romeo Poquiz, commander of the 2nd Air Division. The second plane landed shortly before 6 p.m as PAF personnel unloaded boxes of tents and “family kits” that will be airlifted to Bohol today.

Poquiz said the aircraft were supposed to fly directly to Tagbilaran City from Subang, Malaysia, but had to divert its flight to Cebu.

“The airport in Bohol could no longer accommodate them because Tagbilaran doesn’t have the capability for night flight operations,” he told CDN.

Major Azhar B. Abdul Rahman, chief of the Malaysian airlift mission, said the relief goods were from the Jakarta-based Asean Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Center).

He said they were sent to deliver the relief goods as Malaysia is the Asean-member country in charge of logistics support of the AHA Center.

Poquiz said the 4×4 meter tent can house a family of five. Each beneficiary-family will be given kits that contain sanitary pads, hand towels, combs, detergent powder, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, mosquito nets, jerry cans, kitchen set, plastic buckets, kitchen knife, wooden scoop, blanket, candles, sarong, floor mat, rubber slippers, T-shirts and an FM transistor radio.

Maj. Mardiana Razali, pilot of the first C-130 plane that landed, said they will fly back to Malaysia as soon as the relief goods get unloaded.

“I am happy and feel appreciated that at least we can help our fellowmen who are really in need of help because of the earthquake,” she said.

Meanwhile, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has “prepositioned stockpiles” of 1,000 metric tons of rice, 15 MT of high-energy biscuits and non-food items, such as generator sets, tents and mobile offices to the disaster areas in Cebu and Bohol, its Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs reported. Spain, New Zealand and Canada sent messages of sympathy and solidarity to the Philippines through their embassies in Manila. In Malacañang, President Aquino’s spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they welcome international assistance. /with an INQUIRER report