BOC donates abandoned, forfeited goods to Cebu earthquake victims

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has turned over abandoned and forfeited items to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as help to the victims of the devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu last September 30. 

Among the turned over items are tents, mobile power supply units and rice. 

“The donation, which came mostly from the Manila International Container Port (MICP), includes 56 pieces of Rapid Emergency Tents and 1,087 pieces of assorted tents to serve as temporary shelters, 50 units of mobile power supply to provide electricity in affected areas, and one bio-toilet unit to ensure proper sanitation for displaced residents,” BOC said in a statement Monday. 

Further, the bureau donated more than 100 sacks of rice for food assistance efforts. 

“The Manila International Container Port stands in full support of the BOC’s thrust to transform abandoned goods into opportunities for service. Through this donation, we hope to extend help and bring comfort to our fellow Filipinos in Cebu who are recovering from this calamity,” said MICP District Collector Rizalino Jose Torralba. 

The OCD will handle the distribution of the donated items, the BOC said. 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 547,394 people or 155,094 families were affected in Central Visayas as of October 6. 

Around 1,251 people or 405 families are staying in evacuation centers while around 17,661 individuals or 7,357 families were taking shelter in other places amid the ongoing aftershocks. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News