By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANDALUYONG CITY — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Thursday (Oct. 2) reported that it has already handed out millions worth of evacuation kits and relief goods to families impacted by Typhoon “Opong” in Masbate and the devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu.
Covering daily deliveries thru C130 flights, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel “Gabriela Silang”, a larger wave of assistance is set to follow by land with a PCSO caravan scheduled to leave Manila Sunday morning (Oct. 5), delivering further aid to both regions.
The caravan will transport substantial quantities of relief supplies to the affected provinces.
Among the resources being dispatched are 11 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) for Cebu, alongside five dump trucks from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) dedicated to carrying essential relief items.
To ensure a steady supply of aid, the convoy will also include at least five wing vans and one bus filled with crucial necessities for the families in need.
Masbate is currently under a state of calamity as it grapples with the aftermath of the typhoon, which has displaced thousands, destroyed homes, and severely impacted agricultural lands.
In Cebu, the magnitude 6.9 earthquake has left over 20,000 individuals displaced, with Bogo City, Medellin, and San Remigio among the most severely affected areas.
Thousands of residents remain in evacuation centers or have been forced to sleep outdoors due to ongoing aftershocks, highlighting the urgent need for immediate assistance.
“We cannot turn away from the suffering of our fellow Filipinos in Masbate and Cebu,” PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles said.
“Our duty is clear: to respond and continue helping until aid reaches every corner of these communities,” Robles added.
He said that they are committed to supporting those affected by these calamities.
“Through these efforts, we uphold our principle of ‘Hindi Umuurong sa Pagtulong,” he stressed. ###
