PAL flies more medical teams to Tacloban City to aid Yolanda victims

Philippine Airlines flew eight medical teams and a psychosocial team, comprised of 70 medical practitioners in total, to typhoon-hit Tacloban City on Tuesday, the airline said in a statement.

The flight also carried medicines, medical equipment, and other supplies to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center, which the airline said is the only hospital still functioning in the city hit by super typhoon Yolanda last week.

The medical teams will join those already in the city providing aid to residents, including teams from government agencies flown in by PAL last Monday. The airline also said it will airlift relief goods from government agencies and registered organizations for free once more airports resume regular operations.

“We will do everything we can to assist in government’s efforts to respond to the needs of our countrymen. We will continue to coordinate closely with government agencies to see where we can help. We are prepared to extend assistance any way we can,” said PAL president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang.

Interested donors may contact the PAL Foundation at telephone numbers (02) 851-2980 or (02) 8526090 (telefax) or email palfoundation@pal.com.ph and provide their name, the contact information of the consignee, and a list of the contents of the shipment. Their goods will be flown on a space availability basis.

Individuals may also course their donations through the following drop-off points, appointed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Monday:

 1. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) Chapel Road, Pasay City (going to NAIA2). Contact number: (02) 851-2681
 
2. Philippine National Police
- PNP Gymnasium, Camp Crame, Quezon City. Contact numbers: 0915-333-8685, (02) 722-0650 (Police Senior Superintendent Teroy Taguinod)
 
3. Operation Tulong Bayan
- Balai, EDSA corner McArthur Ave., Cubao, Quezon City. Contact number: 02-913-6254; or
- The Commissary at Whitespace, 2341 Chino Roces Ave Ext. (formerly Pasong Tamo Ext), Makati City. Contact number: (02) 729-0030 — Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News