PA’s “Oplan Tabang Visayas” collects over 50-T kilos of relief goods

By Gideon . Corgue

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The “Oplan Tabang Visayas,” a relief effort initiative of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 1^st Infantry Tabak Division based in this town has been able to collect some 50,793 kilos of relief goods for super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) survivors.

Brigadier General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr., newly installed Tabak commanding officer, said during the assumption of command ceremony held here on Tuesday at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an in Barangay Pulcanan that the relief goods were comprised of 722 sacks of rice weighing 15,925 kilos, 147 cartons of sardines-2,205.5 kilos, 33 carton of noodles - 129.87 kilos, 293 cartons of bottled water - 4,219.2 kilos, 153 sacks of assorted food packs – 7,110 kilos, 21,204 kilos of assorted clothes, and 16 boxes of assorted medicines.

Trinidad stressed that “Oplan Tabang Visayas” was an offshoot of the request made by individuals and groups for the 1^st Infantry division to bring the relief goods to typhoon-devastated areas.

When super typhoon “Yolanda” hit the Central Visayas region, many kind-hearted individuals and groups have donated relief goods for the survivors.

Trinidad said “the huge volume of donations was coming from our generous donors who wholeheartedly gave their donations for the typhoon survivors.”

The Tabak commander thanked the generous donors for actively supporting the 1^st infantry division’s relief efforts saying that “the collection of the enormous volume of relief goods will not be realized sans people’s help.”

The goods are now ready to be shipped to the Visayas region.

“I would like also to thank the drop-off centers set up at the Philippine Information Agency, Gaisano Capital Mall, and City Commercial Center as well as the media for helping us in our relief efforts,” Trinidad concluded.  (PIA9)