In a press release, OIC Prov'l Information Officer Sonny Y. Abing III disclosed that on board Philippine Navy ship BRP Tagbanua were relief goods intended for the victims of typhoon “Pablo” (international name: “Bopha”) which swept across eastern Mindanao on December 4 last year causing flash floods, landslides, destroying banana plantations and flattened communities which displaced many families.
He said that the goods were donated by the people of the Province of Sulu under the leadership of Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan and facilitated by the Sulu Area Coordination Center (SACC) in partnership with the Sulu Women’s Council, headed by Hja. Nurunisah A. Tan, First Lady of Sulu.
In the report, Gov. Tan said that the relief goods is the initiative of the people of Sulu who were the ones who took the lead to gather relief goods to help those who were affected by Typhoon Pablo
“Kaming taga-Sulu ay handang tumulong, at sana sa aming konting nakayanan ay nakapag-ambag at nakapagpaabot kami ng aming lubos na pakikiramay sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Pablo (The people of Sulu are always ready to help others, and we hope that in our little way we have shared and expressed our condolences to those affected by typhoon Pablo),” Gov. Tan said.
Abing reported that the Women of Sulu was at the forefront of the humanitarian relief assistance campaign for Pablo victims. The Sulu Women’s Council was the driving force of this campaign according to Fazlur Abdulla, SACC Executive Director.
“We empathize with the victims of typhoon Pablo. In behalf of my colleagues in the women’s council, I would like to express my gratitude to those who shared their resources to help those in need. Our efforts are nothing compared to what the calamity victims are enduring,” Women’s Chair Hja. Nurunisah A. Tan said in a message to donors.
Abdulla acknowledged the cooperation and support given by the AFP and PNP for the safety, transport and security of donated items.
“Transporting the goods to DSWD 9 would be difficult without their valuable
assistance,” Abdulla said.
The donated items includes; 68 carton sardines,3 boxes of
medicines, 82 boxes noodles, 50 pieces plastic mats, 113 sacks of used
clothing, 78 sacks of rice and other basic necessities.
The
goods were transported and subsequently turned over to the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) for proper distribution to affected families in
calamity areas. The NDRRMC reported that “Pablo” affected 711,682 families or 6,243,998 persons from 3,064 villages, 318 towns, 40 cities in 34 provinces. A total of 2,481 families or 11,688 people continue to stay in 43 evacuation centers. (ALT/RVC/Sulu-PIO/PIA9-ZBST)