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AFP transports 6K relief packs to Cagayan

By Priam Nepomuceno

November 30, 2020, 5:49 pm

<p><strong>AID ON THE WAY.</strong> Trucks carrying relief packs for flood victims in Cagayan province leave Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (Nov. 30, 2020). Since the start of its relief operations for victims of Typhoon Ulysses, the AFP has distributed a total of 55, 250 food packs in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and the National Capital Region as of November 28. <em>(Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)</em></p>

AID ON THE WAY. Trucks carrying relief packs for flood victims in Cagayan province leave Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (Nov. 30, 2020). Since the start of its relief operations for victims of Typhoon Ulysses, the AFP has distributed a total of 55, 250 food packs in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and the National Capital Region as of November 28. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday conducted a send-off ceremony for military personnel tasked to transport 6,000 relief packs to the victims of massive flooding in Cagayan.

This took place at AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The relief goods include canned food, instant noodles, and water donated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the AFP Civil-Military Coordinating Center (AFPCMCC), said AFP public affairs office chief, Navy Capt. Jonathan Zata.

These are being transported via 10 military trucks and 13 trucks from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

He added that the team is composed of 13 security personnel from the AFP General Headquarters and 20 from the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom). It is expected to arrive in Isabela and Cagayan provinces on Tuesday.

“The AFP extends its gratitude to the Asian Development Bank for their generosity in helping our people who are still in need. The leadership likewise salute our personnel for their tireless work in ensuring that help will come to the people of Cagayan,” said AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay.

Present in the send-off ceremony were AFP deputy chief-of-staff for civil-military operations Major Gen. Benedict M. Arevalo; AFPCMCC director Brig. Gen. Gabriel C. Viray III; Joven Balbosa, Advisor to the South East Asia Department for ADB; and Director Emmanuel P. Privaldo from the DSWD.

Since the start of its relief operations for victims of Typhoon Ulysses, the AFP has distributed a total of 55,250 food packs in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and National Capital Region as of November 28.

The collection of food and non-food donations is still ongoing through the AFPCMCC in all military camps nationwide.

The civil-military operations initiative was launched in early November turning military units into donation drop-off centers for those who wish to send help to affected individuals.

The collected items will then be delivered to communities as part of the AFP’s relief operations service. In Northern Luzon Command, 1,135 family food packs consolidated by the Naval Forces Northern Luzon through the AFPCMCC, were transported and distributed in Alcala, Cagayan on Saturday.

On the same day, Tactical Operations Group 1 also transported relief items that weigh 895 kg from Baguio City to Tuguegarao City.

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force–National Capital Region (NCR) is continuing its provision of manpower assistance in the transfer of donated relief goods, repacking of items, and clean-up operations in Marikina City and Rodriguez, Rizal.

“The AFP remains committed in the conduct of relief operations to alleviate the distress of our people who are still experiencing hardship caused by the recent calamities. The AFP will continue to assist them and the local government units in providing manpower, mobility and equipment to help affected communities rise stronger,” Gapay said. (PNA)

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