Free transport service for ‘Yolanda’ survivors continues—DSWD

Families airlifted from the calamity areas hit by ‘Yolanda’ have been arriving in batches at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The free transport service for victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda arriving in Manila will continue amid the transfer of the Operation Salubong initiative to Camp Aguinaldo from Villamor Air Base Thursday.

In an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Ma. Alicia Bonoan, Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region director, made the assurance as private sector organizers of Oplan Hatid turned over to the government the job of transporting typhoon victims from the Villamor Airbase to their point of destination in other parts of the country for free.

“Oplan Hatid will continue,” she said as she appealed to those who can lend their vehicles for the project.

Before Operation Salubong was transferred to Camp Aguinaldo early Thursday, the group who first led the free transport service were couple Junep and Cel Ocampo.

They had 500 volunteer-drivers who were fetching victims arriving in Villamor to drive them to their families in different parts of the Philippines.

In a separate interview, the Ocampos said their group “unanimously” decided to let go of the project due to logistics concerns.

Meanwhile, asked for the reason behind the transfer, Bonoan said it has something to do with the large number of people arriving in Villamor.

She added Camp Aguinaldo is a one-stop-shop for all the services of government offices.

However, Bonoan noted that volunteers need to be registered again after the move.

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