The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division has canceled Christmas get-together activities to concentrate its resources on the recovery of areas ravaged by Typhoon Odette.
Division commander, Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, said government forces will provide manpower, sea, air, and land transportation to help in the collection, transport, and distribution of donations for the typhoon-hit province.
“Earlier, our higher headquarters directed us to abstain from holding unit Christmas parties due to the pandemic. As we now send our troops to help in relief operations to areas affected by Typhoon Odette, the food and other resources we originally set aside for (the) Christmas party will instead be repurposed to support our troops on relief operations mission,” de Leon said in a statement on Tuesday.
De Leon also directed the 142 new privates who just completed their basic military training to join the relief operations as their first task, setting aside their traditional “training leave.”
Soldiers also launched a solicitation drive to gather 20-liter containers with potable water, food, cooking kits, hygiene kits, toiletries, and first aid kits.
“We are in need of assistance from other regions and provinces. We are appealing for food, water, and other basic household needs as well as roofing and carpentry materials to repair damaged roofs. The Armed Forces will mobilize, deliver goods, and help in the repair of shelters, to enliven the Filipino tradition of bayanihan,” de Leon added.
Division spokesman Capt. Ryan Layug said Christmas and New Year will still be celebrated by soldiers, but it would be primarily with their family and loved ones. Only the traditional unit party was cancelled.
“The resources we set aside for the parties will instead be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations,” Layug added.
The Army’s initiative will be limited to augmenting the efforts of the Office of Civil Defense following the Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management system of the region.
Source: Philippines News Agency
