Pacquiao donates 15 portable power generators to Siargao Island

Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao and his e-sports team donated 15 portable power generators to the typhoon-stricken island of Siargao on Christmas eve.

In a statement, the lawmaker said Team Pacquiao GG, led by Shin Boo, would send the power generators to Siargao on Friday.

Pacquiao said the generators would provide a temporary power supply so Siargao residents could recharge their essential electronic devices.

Apart from this, Pacquiao had also sent at least three tons of relief goods to each of the following localities: Puerto Princesa, Kabangkalan, and Sipalay, Negros Occidental.

According to the statement, Pacquiao,  in the past seven days, had distributed around 80 tons of goods to areas hardest hit by Typhoon Odette.

These efforts included 16 humanitarian flights to deliver relief in Cebu, Siargao, Butuan, Dumaguete, Bais, Cagayan de Oro, Bohol, Leyte, Negros Island and Palawan.

In his Christmas message, Pacquiao encouraged Filipinos affected by Odette to keep their faith in God and stay strong amid adversity.

"Ang lahat na nararanasan natin ngayon ay mga pagsubok. Sinusubukan ng Panginoon at tiwala at pananampalataya. Sinusubukan niya ang ating tatag upang tayo ay matuto. Tinuturuan tayo na ang bawat desisyon natin ay may malalim at pangmatagalang epekto sa ating buhay," Pacquiao said.

(What we are now experiencing are challenges. This is a test of our faith and trust in God. He tests our resilience so we could learn from our experiences. He is teaching us so that we'll realize that our decisions have a long-term effect on our lives.)

Pacquiao also thanked those who entrusted their donations to his team.

Almost a week after Typhoon Odette left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, residents of Siargao Island are appealing for help. They are particularly asking for clean water, food, and shelter materials as they try to rebuild their homes.

The typhoon had destroyed infrastructure and houses, as well as felled trees in General Luna and Dapa on Siargao Island.

Apart from Siargao, Typhoon Odette had also devastated Cebu, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Island, and Palawan. — DVM, GMA News