The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy a multi-role response vessel and a search and rescue vessel to transport much-needed food, water, and other relief assistance to victims of Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” in Iloilo province in Western Visayas (Region 6).

PCG personnel started hauling the relief goods onboard BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Romblon (SARV-3503) on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The BRP Melchora Aquino was supposed to sail on Tuesday night after a total of 3,600 family packs were loaded onto the vessel but the PCG decided to extend the hauling of relief items to 10,000 family packs.

Meanwhile, the departure of BRP Romblon is tentatively set on Nov. 5 as it also increased its load from an initial 50 sacks of rice with each sack weighing 50 kilos.

The PCG has formed Task Force “Kalinga” last Oct. 30 to facilitate the collection and distribution of relief goods for the victims of Paeng.

Since then, the PCG said that the task force has received 17.53 tons of relief supplies from various government agencies and private organizations. Among these are drinking water, noodles, canned goods, alcohol, bath and laundry soap, diapers, medicines and vitamins, wet wipes, coffee, rice, face mask, aqua tabs, and blankets.

“Ihahatid ang donasyon sa mga probinsyang nasalanta ng nagdaang kalamidad gamit ang mga barko, air asset, at land vehicle ng PCG tungo sa agarang pagbangon ng bansa (The donations will be brought to the provinces that were devastated by the recent calamity using the ships, air assets, and land vehicles of the PCG to hasten the recovery of the country),” the PCG said.