PAGADIAN CITY – The 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army is now appealing for donations to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, the most devastating typhoon that severely hit Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Capiz and Iloilo provinces last week.
Tabak commander Brigadier General (BGen) Felicito Virgilio Trinidad on Sunday morning phoned all units of the division ordering the officers and men to donate relief goods to super typhoon victims.
Trinidad called on the public to also donate relief goods such as bottled water, rice, canned goods, noodles, mats, blankets, medicines and clothing.
Tropical storm Haiyan, locally named Yolanda, struck the country and swept across the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Iloilo and Capiz, leaving thousands dead and forcing hundreds to scamper to evacuation centers. It also damaged several houses, commercial buildings, infrastructures as well as agriculture.
Trinidad said the division would be accepting donations starting Sunday until Tuesday at 6 p.m.
A C1-30 cargo aircraft will transport the relief goods to the areas hardest hit by the super typhoon, division public affairs chief Captain Jefferson Somera said.
Government employees, businessmen and professional and civic organizations immediately responded to the text message sent by the DPAO by bringing their relief goods to the 1st Infantry division and to the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency Office (PIA).
Trinidad in his text message said: “Sama-sama tayo sa pagbangon. Tulungan natin ang ating mga kababayan. Ang konting tulong ninyo ay magiging malaki sa mga nangangailangan. Tayo ay Magbayanihan! (Together we will rise. We will help our fellowmen. Your little help is already a big help for those who are in need.)”
Somera also said the Tabak division has designated Gaisano Capital Mall in this city as one of the designated drop-off centers for the relief goods. (PIA9)