CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Duterte Cabinet Spouses Association Inc. (DU30 CSAI) are in Cebu to be present for today’s turnover of relief goods gathered from the “Tabang sa Marawi” campaign in the Visayas which are scheduled to be shipped out to Mindanao tomorrow, Wednesday.
“We have been doing this relief operations for more than a month now, since from the first week the DU30 CSAI has been receiving aid for the displaced Maranao in Marawi from our friends, relatives and network of supporters,” said Bai Norhata Alonto, wife of Mindanao Development Authority Chairman and Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto.
The “Tabang sa Marawi” campaign was spearheaded by Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino and his wife with the help of friends and supporters throughout the Visayas.
Up to 30,000 Maranao families are expected to benefit from this batch of relief goods which will be ferried to Mindanao on Wednesday onboard a Philippine Navy Vessel Landing Craft 299.
“We usually address those who are less visited by the DSWD and by other GOs and NGOs who are giving out relief goods,” she added.
The gathered goods from Visayas would benefit evacuees who have sought shelter in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, Malui and Lanao del Sur.
Marissa Aguirre, wife of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, said that each food pack that will be distributed will have five kilos of rice, eight cans of sardines, one blanket, and one mosquito net. A small family will get on pack, while a family with five to seven children will get two packs.
“We see to it that the goods can be eaten right away. There will be no pork and alcohol,” she added.
The goods will depart Central Command Naval Forces in Lapu-Lapu City on Wednesday and are expected to be delivered to the different evacuation centers by July 12.
This is the 4th time the DU30 CSAI will be distributing relief goods to evacuees from Marawi.
The Duterte Cabinet Spouses Association was created a few days after the Marawi incident and is composed of 15 to17 active members. — Chrisyl Mae S. Baring (FREEMAN)