The Philippine Sports Commission has organized relief efforts for members of the national team severely affected by Typhoon Odette.
PSC chairman Butch Ramirez gave instructions for the said relief drive with the PSC management committee headed by executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy finalizing the logistics for the care package in a meeting last Monday.
Iroy is coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the transport and delivery of goods like mattresses and water bottles.
“This is a force of nature that we cannot control. However, we can do our share to help them get through this. We will do all we can with the resources available, ” Ramirez said.
The PSC has been monitoring the situation and keeping track of the situation of the athletes from the Visayas and Mindanao region where the typhoon hit,
“There is quite a number affected like in Bohol where Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) has a small gym which was washed-out in the reports we received.” Ramirez said.
Odette, which has an international name Rai, is the 15th typhoon to hit the Philippines this year. According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), Odette weakened slightly from a Category 5 to a Category 3 storm after making a landfall Thursday on Siargao Island.
Meanwhile, the PSC will also be handing out P10,000 cash gifts as holiday bonus to members of the national team.
The PSC Board approved the holiday monetary gift in their last meeting.
It will be on top of their monthly allowances.
There are 1,421 athletes and 349 coaches benefitting from this bonus.