The Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) said on Wednesday that it has so far received over PHP4 million worth of goods and PHP876,000 cash donations from various offices, groups, and individuals intended for the victims of Typhoon Odette in the region.

PRO-13 Public Information Officer Maj. Dorothy Tumulak told the Philippine News Agency the donations arrived separately days after “Odette” devastated several provinces in the region last December 16.

“Most of these donations came from the different police regional offices in the country. The first to send their aid to the typhoon-affected residents here was the PRO-9 in Zamboanga,” Tumulak said.

The donations were immediately sent to the different affected areas to immediately provide the basic needs of the affected residents especially in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and the Province of Dinagat Islands, she added.

In a separate statement Wednesday, PRO-13 Director, Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., said a total of PHP3,959,580 worth of relief goods were donated by the different PROs in the country.

The other relief goods were from private groups and individuals who channeled their donations to the typhoon victims through PRO-13, he added.

“The vulnerable families and individuals who were the most affected by the typhoon’s devastation expressed their gratitude to the benefactors who distributed various goods, generator sets, solar light sets, hygiene kits, housing materials, water, medicine, and used clothing,” Caramat said.

He particularly mentioned PRO-9, PRO-10, PRO-11, PRO-12, and the PRO-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslin Mindanao as among the regional police offices that delivered relief goods to the affected residents in the region.

Caramat also expressed gratitude to the Jaime V Ongpin Foundation and Coca-Cola Beverages and individuals he identified as Ma. Fatima Irlanda, and Retired Gen. Archie Gamboa for their trust and support to PRO-13 by responding to the needs of the distressed residents in the region.

“We are delighted that in the face of this natural crisis, we received more than the expected help from various benefactors. These donations are indeed expressions of overflowing support and care to the Caraganons,” Caramat said. (PNA)