As officers and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sustain their relentless efforts to bring relief items to victims of typhoon "Odette," more assistance from the private sector continue to pour in, too.
One prime example is the continuing support of the OB Montessori, headed by Auxiliary Commodore Sara Soliven-de Guzman of the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA), to the PCG Task Force Kalinga on the ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations.
PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Leopoldo V. Laroya commended the efforts of the PCGA, and in particular OB Montessori, on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Since the typhoon last Dec. 17, Laroya said that the OB Montessori has donated tons of family tents, hygiene supplies, household essentials, food packs, medicines, and purified drinking water.
The said educational institution was the first partner stakeholder of the PCG that extended assistance to the Coast Guard Task Force Kalinga as it began sending relief items after the onslaught of typhoon Odette.
Also, the school offered its center located in Sta. Ana, Manila to serve as the secondary logistics hub for the PCG Task Force Kalinga where donations from various humanitarian organizations, private sectors, and government agencies are prepared for immediate transport to recovering areas.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to OB Montessori for supporting our efforts to serve those who are in need,” said Laroya.
“Together with our PCGA volunteers and private sector partners, we will continue to utilize our assets and deploy our personnel toward the full rehabilitation of our 'kababayans' in MiMaRoPa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga," he added.
As of Monday, Jan. 24, PCG vessels and air assets have transported a total of 1,718.5 tons of relief goods to the typhoon-affected communities.
Moreover, PCGA aircraft and private vessels that are part of the said mission have ferried 1,059.6 tons of supplies, bringing the tally to 2,778.1 tons of transported relief goods and critical supplies to support the rehabilitation of the affected families.
As per the directive of President Duterte, the PCG Task Force Kalinga – led by CG Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan – continues to utilize all available PCG assets and resources to help in the recovery of typhoon-stricken regions in the country.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard has ferried 15 tons of relief goods and fuel supplies from Puerto Princesa City to Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan, Palawan by utilizing the BRP Capones (MRRV-4404).
The PCG personnel safely transported various supplies from the Provincial Government of Palawan and private donor Princess Columna to the intended beneficiaries.
Part of the donations were 10 drums of aviation gas, four containers of gasoline, three tanks of 11-kg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), 700 boxes of purified drinking water, 56 boxes of assorted food packs, 10 boxes of assorted fruits, two trays of fresh eggs, and one box of condiments.
In Dinagat Island last Sunday, the PCG's BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) distributed a total of 19.6 tons of purified drinking water at Barangay Cab-ilan and Barangay Cabayawan.