Robredo volunteers continue relief operations for “Odette” families as the new year approaches

Volunteers of Vice President Leni Robredo from all over the country continued with their relief efforts for families displaced by super typhoon “Odette” (international name: Rai) during the Christmas weekend and as the new year approaches.

“Give love on Christmas Day,” the Robredo People’s Council (RPC) said on its Facebook page where volunteers shared photos of their various efforts in areas hit hard by “Odette”, one of the strongest storms of 2021.

In the municipality of Taft in Eastern Samar, volunteers held a “lugawone” activity in several barangays, including one held after the Simbang Gabi on December 24 at the St. James the Greater Parish Church.

Dapat Si Leni – Guimaras, with Hatagi.ph, brought Noche Buena packages for 150 families, toys for children, and provided solar lights, masks, hygiene kits, and first aid kits to Unisan Island in Guimaras.

Volunteers also shared 300 relief packs in an evacuation center in barangay Palaslan in Tayasan town and nearby coastal areas in Negros Oriental where most of the evacuees were staying in temporary shelters.

On Christmas Day, volunteers distributed relief packs in Manjuyod and Bindoy in Negros Oriental. “Wala talagang pinipiling araw ang pagpapakita ng nagkakaisang #HusayAtTibay ng mga Pilipino,” the Dapat si Leni chapter in Negros Oriental said.

On December 26, Raffy Magno, officer-in-charge of Angat Buhay under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said that some 65 tons of relief goods were re-packed for distribution at the Relief Operations Center in Katipunan, Quezon City.

On Sunday night, 30 tons of drinking water were on their way to Cebu and Bohol for the families affected by the typhoon.

There were also 2,000 food packs, 2,000 sacks of rice, and 10 tons of drinking water loaded in a Philippine Navy ship in Sangley Point, which will bring relief assistance to Palawan.

Relief operations at the Oppra Elementary School Evacuation Center in Cebu were also conducted where 18 families are seeking temporary shelter.

“Sa masamang palad, lahat sila ay nawalan ng tahanan; layunin nating makatulong man lang na mabawasan ang kanilang mga isipin lalo na’t malapit na ring mag-bagong taon. Sa mga volunteers na bumisita sa kanila, maraming salamat po!” RPC said.

Also during the Christmas weekend, volunteers conducted relief assistance and palugaw in Talisay City in Cebu; in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, Dapat si Leni volunteers set up free charging stations in five different locations with the help of generator owners; and the Team Leni Robredo- Kabankalan Chapter and volunteers in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental distributed relief food packs and shared lugaw with the affected families.

Robredo has been visiting provinces battered by “Odette”. She brought relief packs and coordinated relief operations and met with local officials on how her office can assist in their rehabilitation effort. The typhoon-hit areas were nearly flattened by strong winds and heavy rains.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Robredo debunked the baseless accusations that she only brought relief assistance to the families because it was election season.

“Siyempre, hindi ito totoo. May eleksiyon o wala, andyan tayo pag may sakuna,” Robredo said.

Robredo shared photos of the OVP’s various relief operations since she assumed office in 2016.

“Ang pictures, pang resibo sa fake news,” Robredo said.

Robredo said she shared the comprehensive and up-to-date reports to pay tribute to the teams “who have missed holidays, weekends, important personal events just to fulfill (their) mission”.

“Until now, our teams are still on the ground doing relief operations. We are thankful to all our donors and local partners for helping us every step of the way,” Robredo said. ###