By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte, Dec. 22 (PIA) -- A team from the Eastern Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is set to leave on December 26 for augmentation of relief operations in the Pablo stricken areas in Mindanao.
Office of Civil Defense Region 8 Director Rey Gozon, during the December 21 special meeting of the RDRRMC Technical Working Group said the team from Eastern Visayas will go to Region 11 particularly in the thirteen municipalities which severely affected by the typhoon.
Director Gozon identified the municipalities as New Bataan, Compostela, Pantukan, Montevista, Mawab, Maco, Laak, Mabini, Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga and Boston.
The team is composed of response personnel from the various disaster response and relief committees of national government agencies and local government units, including the private sector partners.
Trucks from the DPWH, the AFP and the PNP will be utilized to carry the relief goods to the relief operation areas, Director Gozon said as he underscored that the humanitarian mission is an interagency convergence.
The Philippine Coast Guard will coordinate with the RDRRMC Secretariat on the number of vehicles that will be used during the relief operations so that arrangements could be made for the barge services.
The Philippine Information Agency was tasked to call for donations from the local government units and the public in general through the Infoboard or Text Blast. In the spirit of Christmas and in solidarity with the brothers and sisters in Mindanao who were adversely affected by the latest calamity, RDRRMC believes that many will answer the call.
The team has created a committee on food to ensure that the team nourishment while on mission will not be neglected. As the team is going to Mindanao to help, it is not expecting to be hosted but will be there ready to be of help.
Meanwhile, the various donors are enjoined by Director Gozon to bring their relief goods or cash at the Regional Office of OCD.
Donations in kind will be deposited at the Caboboy Hall of Camp Ruperto Kangleon of the Philippine National Police Region 8. (PIA 8)