Vice presidential aspirant and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Sunday, lauded Filipino journalists and their media companies for their coverage of Typhoon Odette and the ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations in Cebu, Leyte, Surigao, Dinagat Island, and Palawan.
Pangilinan said the media’s role during disaster relief operations are crucial to the government’s efforts at reaching out to victims of natural disasters and calamities.
“Napakahalaga ng role ng media, at nagpapasalamat tayo. Napakahalagang nandyan kayo sa frontlines para malaman ng mga kababayan natin ang mga problema (The role of the media is so important, that’s why we are thankful. It’s very important that you are there at the frontlines so our people know what the problem is),” Pangilinan said.
“Mahalaga ang role ng media sa panahon ng disaster dahil kayo ang nagbibigay ng impormasyon from the ground to guide policymakers (The role of the media is so important during times of disaster because you provide information from the ground to guide policymakers),” he added.
In an interview with DZRH radio station, Pangilinan revealed that the Philippine Shipping Liners Association has offered to transport relief goods to affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
Reading from a letter he received from the association, the vice presidential aspirant said: “In response to the need for continued transport of relief goods to affected families by Typhoon Odette, they have committed to offer free pier-to-pier transport of goods for the immediate needs of families such as food packs, canned goods, rice, ready-to-eat meals.”
“Hinihiling nila na sana i-pack nang maayos ang relief goods, at ma-identify ang mga details such as names sa mga covered ports ng Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Tagbiliran, Tacloban, at Puerto Princesa (They asked that the relief goods be packed and to provide details such as names of the covered ports in Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Tacloban and Puerto Princesa),” he said.
Pangilinan also said thousands of residents of affected island-communities urgently need supplies such as water and food.
He also said he has discussed with a Visayan electric cooperative official and called up one Central Luzon cooperative to ask for help in repairing damaged power lines.
“We need to restore power supply and communication lines,” added the lawmaker, who visited Leyte and Surigao for relief missions last December 21.
“Very, very important na magtulungan ang private sector at government para mabigyan ng suporta (ang mga nangangailangan) (It’s very important that the private sector and government help each other to support those who are in need) ,” he said.
Pangilinan said: “We have our work cut out for us. Kaya kailangang tulung-tulong hanapan ng paraan ang mga solusyon (That’s why we need to help in finding solutions).”