The Philippine Coast Guard in Negros Oriental based in this city on Thursday sent more than eight tons of assorted relief items for victims of the earthquakes that rocked Mindanao in late October that left several people dead and many residents homeless.
The Coast Guard here, headed by Lt. Cmdr. Jansen, collected and received the donations from local government units, individuals, and from the private sector over the past few couple of weeks.
This is the second shipment to be ferried on board the PCG patrol vessel, BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406), which is currently docked at the Dumaguete port.
The first shipment of more than a ton of relief goods was sent last Nov. 5, also via the same PCG vessel.
In an interview, Chief Petty Officer Fernando Villalon, the Coast Guard Negros Oriental deputy commander, said the relief goods include sacks of rice, bottled water, used clothing, canned food, noodles, and other foodstuff, among others, with an estimated volume of 8,700 kilograms or about eight tons.
These items are from Negros Oriental and Siquijor, and the PCG Station in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, he said.
The donations are from local government units, business establishments, private sector, and individuals, Villalon added.
PCG Cdr. Dan Cariño, commanding officer of BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406), explained that part of their humanitarian mission is to ferry the relief goods from here to Cebu.
Because of the large volume of goods that cannot be accommodated onboard the BRP Suluan, Cariño said all of the relief aid they have received will be brought to Cebu City and shipped via a commercial sea vessel to Cagayan de Oro.
“From Cagayan de Oro, Coast Guard land mobility assets there will transport these goods to Makilala,” he said.
The PCG here said it is still accepting donations for yet another loading into BRP Suluan on November 21.
Villalon said donors can bring their relief items to their station located at the Dumaguete port. The Coast Guard can even send its vehicle to pick up relief goods from their offices or establishments for donors who live near the PCG station. (PNA)
