North Luzon Navy initiates ‘Saranay Cagayan’ to aid flood victims

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 23, 2020): North Luzon Navy initiates ‘Saranay Cagayan’ to aid flood victims (By Venus May H. Sarmiento) 

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 23 (PIA) - The Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) has initiated a donation drive for individuals and families affected by the massive flooding in the Cagayan Valley Region.

Lt. Jaypee Abuan, public affairs office chief of NFNL of the Philippine Navy based in the province of La Union, said that aside from the rescue and relief operations conducted by the fleet, the ‘Saranay’ Cagayan’ was launched to consolidate donations from government agencies, non-government organizations and private individuals.

“Our North Luzon office has been receiving inquiries and messages from people who want to help and offer donations but do not know where to give or have no capability to bring these to Cagayan, thus the bayanihan was formed,” Abuan said during the Kapihan sa PIA-Pangasinan forum, Friday.

“Saranay’ is an Ilocano word that means assistance or help.

An updated report said that as of November 21, the Naval Forces Northern Luzon already received an estimated total of 100 tons of relief items from benefactors to its “Saranay Cagayan” initiative.

The relief items were broken down into 30 tons of food items and 70 tons of pre-loved clothes and blankets.

“Your Navy in the North will continue its service to our beloved kababayans. Together, we will help them rise again and surpass the current devastation they are having,” he added.

SARANAY CAGAYAN. In the Kapihan sa PIA forum, Lt. Jaypee Abuan, public affairs office chief of NFNL of the Philippine Navy, said that aside from the rescue and relief operations conducted by the fleet, the ‘Saranay’ Cagayan’ was launched to consolidate donations from government agencies, non-government organizations and private individuals. (VHS)

Meanwhile, in the same PIA forum, Abuan said hundreds of residents in Cagayan and Isabela were rescued by joint forces of the Naval Force, Air Force, Coast Guard and Philippine Army at the onslaught of the flooding due to Typhoon Ulysses.

“The naval special operations command whose expertise is water search and rescue (WASAR) have been a big help lalo na ang mga water crafts like rubber boats because most of the roads were not passable even sa malalaking sasakyan,” he added.

He said that with the capabilities of the WASAR team, they can brave the flood waters.

What posed as a challenge, however, was entering the residents’ houses to rescue them as some houses were located in between giant trees.

Abuan also assured the public that every rescue and relief operations schemes conducted by various uniformed personnel were based on doctrines and policies, contrary to what has been circulating in social media.

“Meron po talagang konsepto ng operations at ito po ang aming sinusunod at huwag basta-basta maniwala sa mga nagkokomento na naninira lang sa ginagawang pagtulong ng gobyerno,” he explained. (JCR/AMB/VHS/PIA-Pangasinan)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1059801