103 trucks, other 8th ID vehicles available for G.I. sheets delivery, distribution

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 5): 103 trucks, other 8th ID vehicles available for G.I. sheets delivery, distribution

Should the program to deliver 300 million tons of G.I. sheets to people whose houses in Eastern Visayas were devastated during the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda," the 8th Infantry Division on Thursday said that it has around 103 trucks and other vehicles to contribute in the effort.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, 8th Infantry Division spokesperson, said that these vehicles are now helping the Department of Social Welfare and Development in its ongoing relief distribution.

"But should this (G.I. sheets distribution program) go into high gear, we can easily shift this to help in that effort," he added.

An average 6x6 military truck can carry two to three tons of cargo.

Earlier, the Philippine Navy announced that it will continue to conduct "humanitarian assistance disaster relief" (HADR) missions as long as it is needed.

"The PN as a force provider supports the AFP Central Command in HADR operations and if directed by higher headquarters, then we will undertake the mission," Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.

He earlier said that two of the PN's logistic ships, the BRP Bacolod (LC-550) and BRP Dagupan (LC-551), can be utilized for this mission.

"These ships can be loaded to the utmost of their capacity and deployed to deliver the G.I. sheets in Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas" he added.

Both ships are capable of carrying 4,000 tons of assorted cargoes.

Local government officials in Eastern and Western Visayas earlier said that 300 million tons of G.I. sheets (around 7 million pieces) are needed to repair the homes damaged by "Yolanda."

Each beneficiary will be given between 20 and 50 pieces of G.I. sheets to fix their houses.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=593867