Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo is seeking the help of local airlines in providing more flights for the evacuation of stranded tourists from typhoon-ravaged Siargao Island.
In a Facebook post Sunday night, Dec. 19, Robredo said she requested both the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific for more evacuation flights.
“Tourists stranded in Siargao waiting to be accommodated to any flight going out of the island. Outside the airport gate were more tourists waiting in line,” Robredo said as she shared photos of her with local and foreign tourists at the Siargao Airport.
Typhoon “Odette” slammed into parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on Dec. 16, leaving a trail of massive destruction.
According to local officials, the Siargao airport terminal was “totally damaged” due to the onslaught of the strong typhoon.
Though the runway had been cleared of debris, the airport could only be used for humanitarian flights and relief operations.
Since there are many tourists still stranded there, Robredo asked for more flights from Cebu Pacific and PAL, both of which heeded her plea.
READ: Robredo sees ‘heartbreaking’ devastation in Siargao, Dinagat Islands
“PAL said they are already scheduling more evacuation flights. There was already one when we arrived Siargao,” she wrote.
The Vice President noted that Cebu Pacific will begin its “sweeper or special cargo in passenger out flights” starting on Monday, Dec. 20.
“We will continue lobbying for more of such flights,” Robredo said.
The lady official and her team were on the ground in Siargao Island to assess the damage and assist in the relief operations.
The opposition leader described the devastation left by Odette as “heartbreaking”, as the storm damaged the resorts and businesses in the town of General Luna.
The communication lines and power in the areas are currently down as well.