Eastmincom, ‘good samaritans’ aid ‘Odette’ survivors

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14, 2022): Eastmincom, ‘good samaritans’ aid ‘Odette’ survivors (By Che Palicte)

RELIEF GOODS DELIVERED. Army troops through the Joint Task Force (JTF) “Sambisig” provide manpower assistance for the loading and unloading of relief goods at Barangay Sta Cruz, San Jose, Dinagat Islands on Jan. 11, 2022. Through the JTF Sambisig, more donations poured in for the typhoon victims. (Photo from Eastmincom)

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) on Friday thanked all the "good samaritans" who channeled their donations through the military command to help the survivors of Typhoon Odette in various parts of Eastern Mindanao.

Eastmincom said in a statement Friday, that through its disaster response-focused unit dubbed as Joint Task Force (JTF) Sambisig, more donations were poured in for the typhoon victims.

LtGen. Greg Almerol, commander of the Eastmincom, thanked the various organizations, companies, and families for their generosity and compassion for the people who were struck by Typhoon Odette and continues to urge others to exhibit the spirit of giving by donating through the "Tulong Bayanihan para sa Sambayanan" program.

“Many of our countrymen were robbed of their homes but through your support and donations, we can help typhoon survivors rise above the challenge a little kindness at a time with newly-restored and resilient homes and a renewed hope for the future,” he said.

He added that the Eastmincom continues to utilize its air, naval, and land assets to efficiently transport relief goods and construction materials that were dropped by various organizations and private individuals at its Headquarters in Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan in this city to typhoon-hit areas.

Almerol bared that Eastmincom troops under the 52nd Engineer Brigade also helped in the rehabilitation of homes and other buildings that were destroyed by the typhoon, including the construction of temporary shelters for typhoon survivors.

The Eastmincom’s medical teams under the JTF Sambisig’s Task Force Kalusugan also utilized the naval asset BRP Ang Pangulo, which was converted into a floating hospital to cater to the medical needs of the typhoon survivors in Surigao City, Siargao Island, and Dinagat Islands.

The JTF Sambisig also continues to provide feeding programs, free haircuts, free medicines and supplements, set up charging stations, and administer psychological first aid, art therapy for children, free medical consultations, and wound suturing for the people.

“Troops also continue to ferry stranded foreign and local tourists to help them travel back to their homes safe and sound,” Almerol added.

Almerol also lauded the efforts of the troops and the benevolent donors for their strong determination to help typhoon survivors recover from the devastation caused by super typhoon Odette, stressing further that ‘a little kindness and compassion could go a long way.’

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165475