Saying "politics should not come in the way of humanitarian assistance," senatorial aspirant and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque recently flew to Mindanao region to extend help to those affected by Typhoon "Odette."
In a press release Sunday, Jan. 2, Roque said he and his team handed a total of 7,600 relief packages, 300 hygiene kits and 500 gallons of potable water to residents of Dinagat and Surigao del Norte's Siargao Island.
He was assisted by the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy as well as local government officials of the provinces of Dinagat, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Butuan City.
"We intentionally provided our modest help first to the Dinagat Islands because it is very hard hit and now difficult to reach. We coordinated and met with Governor Arlene Bag-ao and Vice Governor Nilo Demerey, Jr. Politics should not come in the way of humanitarian assistance," he said.
Roque expressed his gratitude to donors from Artopian Internationale, EA Nation, WTG Group, Marswin Trading and others "for contributing to our modest efforts to bring comfort, as well as a semblance of Christmas spirit to our kababayan in the Dinagat and Siargao Islands."
"We are grateful to our Air Force and Navy personnel for helping us distribute the rice, canned goods, and mineral water in the hardest-hit areas, particularly in Dinagat Islands," he added.