Masbate city: A total of 21 localities in Masbate still recovering from the devastation of Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) received relief and medical support from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) aid caravan.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PCSO stated that the caravan reached Masbate City and the following municipalities: Aroroy, Baleno, Balud, Cataingan, Cawayan, Dimasalang, Esperanza, Mandaon, Milagros, Mobo, Palanas, Pio V. Corpuz, Placer, Uson, San Jacinto, Batuan, Monreal and San Fernando in Ticao Island, and Claveria and San Pascual in Burias Island.
The caravan, which departed Metro Manila on Oct. 5, in partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), delivered six PCSO wing vans loaded with relief and survival kits called “Charitimba,” and one Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV) to Masbate.
Each local government unit also received additional emergency lights and water containers to assist in their ongoing rehabilitation and disaster response operations.
‘Ang bayanihan ay hindi natatapos sa unang pag-abot ng tulong. Sa PCSO, naniniwala kami na ang tunay na malasakit ay ang patuloy na pagdamay – sa bawat komunidad, sa bawat Pilipinong nangangailangan. Nandito kami hindi lang para maghatid ng tulong, kundi para maghatid ng pag-asa (Solidarity does not end with the first aid. At PCSO, we believe that true caring is the constant empathy – to every community, to every Filipino in need. We are not only here to deliver help, but to deliver hope),’ PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles said.
Since the onslaught of Opong, the PCSO has remained among the first responders in the province, providing relief packs, medical kits and assistance to affected families. The agency’s presence reflects its mission to bring hope and healing where they are needed most.
The local government of Masbate expressed gratitude as they received Charitimba packs and other essentials provided by the PCSO.
‘Kami po ngayon ay under the state of calamity kaya kami po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa PCSO. Hindi lamang po Charitimba ang aming natanggap, kundi very unexpected na kami po ay makatanggap din ng Patient Transport Vehicle galing po sa PCSO (We are now under a state of calamity so we are sincerely grateful to the PCSO. Not only did we receive Charitimba, but very unexpectedly we also received a PTV),’ Masbate Mayor Ara Kho said.
‘Kami po ay napakaswerte kasi ang PTV po ay dinala personally dito… Ito po ay makakatulong sa amin lalong lalo na sa mga kababayan natin na nasa mga coastal barangays (We are very lucky because the PTV was personally brought to us… This will help us, especially those in coastal villages),’ she added.
