MANILA – Relief operations being conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in areas that were devastated by Typhoon Odette is in full swing with needed relief items delivered to areas in Bohol, Surigao, Leyte, Palawan, and Cebu.
In its report to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, the PCG said that as of Wednesday, 22 December 2021, nine vessels that were dispatched are already unloading the needed relief items.
Secretary Tugade thanked the officers and personnel of the PCG for their dedication to service, and swift action in the wake of Odette’s destruction.
“Pinasalamatan ko po ang mga PCG personnel dahil sa kanilang dedikasyon, tapang at pagmamahal sa Pilipino sa gitna ng pananalasa ni Bagyong Odette. Malapit sa aking puso ang Coast Guard. Mismong si Presidente ang kumikilala sa inyo dahil sa inyong pinakitang tapang, dedikasyon at pagmamahal sa kapwa Pilipino sa gitna ng sakuna,” he said.
For his part, PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Leopoldo Laroya said the PCG will continue with its mission to deliver the needed relief items to those affected by "Odette.”
“We all know the drill. I am confident that our men and women will be able to serve our fellow kababayans in this time they are most needed with patriotism, compassion, and fear of God. Let us all pray for the safety of our first responders so they could best serve those who are in need,” he said.
According to the PCG, MRVV-4401 (BRP Tubbataha) safely arrived in Tagbilaran, Bohol, on Tuesday, and is now unloading 30 sacks of rice, two drums of gasoline, a generator set, a box of canned tuna, and four rolls of tarpaulin.
Also now unloading relief items are the following PCG vessels:
• OPV-8301 (BRP Gabriela Silang) arrived at the EVA Macapagal Terminal, Surigao City.
• MRRV-4409 (BRP Cabra) arrived at Ormoc City, Leyte.
• SARV-3502 (BRP Nueva Vizcaya) arrived at Lapuz Wharf, Iloilo City.
• MRRV-4407 (BRP Sindangan) arrived at Surigao with 250 passengers and 22 motorcycles
• MRRV-4411 (BRP Cape Engaño) arrived at Puerto Princesa Port, Palawan.
• MRRV-4408 (BRP Cape San Agustin) now off Sibago Island, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM) carrying bottles of mineral water, flashlights with batteries, sacks of rice, and other relief items from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
• MRRV-4410 (BRP Bagacay) now enroute to Surigao City carrying food packs, bottled water, and sacks of rice.
• MRRV-4402 (MALABRIGO) carrying communications personnel, bottled water, and fuel, is now off Manlibat Point in Cebu.
The following PCG vessels meanwhile are being prepared and will depart to unload relief items when ready:
• AE-46 (BRP Bojeador) now in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
• SARV-5605 (BRP Batangas) now in Roxas City, Palawan.
• TB-271 (BRP Habagat) now in Manila to depart for Negros Occidental.
• AE-891 (BRP Corregidor) now in Manila to depart for Palawan.
• MRRV-4404 (BRP Capones) now loading construction materials in Palawan to depart for the Kalayaan Island Group.
Meanwhile, MMOV-5001 (BRP Lapu Lapu) left Pier 13, Manila South Harbor on Wednesday, 22 December 2021, with personnel of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources en route to Lucena City in Quezon.
The PCG likewise deployed its Cessna 2081 Caravan turboprop aircraft to conduct an aerial survey of Palawan and an assessment of the situation at the Kalaayan Island Group. (PCG)
