Robredo distributes rice in Iloilo in wake of Odette

Vice President  Leni Robredo has turned over 1,000 sacks of rice to Iloilo province in light of the devastation brought by typhoon Odette.

In a statement issued on December 24, the OVP said the 1,000 sacks of rice to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr., his wife, Michelle, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas during Robredo's  visit to the typhoon-stricken province last December 21.

In addition, 1,100 food packs were also delivered to the municipalities of Batad, San Dionisio, Ajuy, Banate, Oton, Tigbayan, Miag-ao, Guimbal, and San Joaquin.

Iloilo City, for its part, received 510 sacks of rice, 10 boxes of canned goods, 10 boxes of noodles, and P230,000 worth of personal hygiene items.

"The relief assistance was not only to tide over Ilonggos after the typhoon wiped out their homes and possessions but to also assure them that they are not alone in facing the aftermath of the storm this Christmas,"  the OVP said in a statement.

Typhoon Odette has left at least 350 people dead and 2.1 million others displaced for the Christmas season.

Roque in Siargao, Dinagat

Former presidential spokesperson and senatorial aspirant Harry Roque on Friday distributed aid from various donors in typhoon Odette-ravaged communities in Dinagat province and Siargao, Surigao del Norte.

Roque said that with the help of the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, and local government officials of the provinces of Dinagat, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Butuan City,  7,600 food packs, 300 hygiene kits, and 500-gallon of six-liter water were delivered to victims of typhoon Odette a day before Christmas.

“We provided our help first to the Dinagat Islands because it is very hard hit and now difficult to reach. We coordinated and met with Governor Arlene Bag-ao and Vice Governor Nilo Demerey, Jr.," Roque said in a statement.

"Politics should not come in the way of humanitarian assistance," he added.

Roque then thanked the private companies who donated aid namely Artopian Internationale, EA Nation, WTG Group, Marswin Trading, and an anonymous donor, as well as the local officials.

"We are grateful for their contribution in our efforts to bring comfort, as well as a semblance of Christmas spirit to our kababayan," Roque said. —NB, GMA News