PH Air Force deploys two C-130 aircraft for Cebu earthquake relief

The Philippine Air Force has deployed two of its C-130 cargo aircraft to transport food and supplies to communities devastated by the magnitude-6.9 earthquake that shook Bogo City and other areas in northern Cebu.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the C-130s departed Friday from the Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City and landed at the Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The aircraft delivered 97 tents and 30 blankets from the OCD, and 1,254 Charitimba food packs from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Ground troops from the Benito Ebuen Airbase handled the unloading and turnover of the food and supplies for onward distribution to the affected communities.

Meanwhile, two PAF Blackhawk helicopters from the same military facility were commissioned to airlift relief goods to the remote island of Carnaza in Daanbantayan.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the Cebu Provincial Government reported that 700 relief packs for nearly 700 households in Carnaza Island were being delivered with the support of the PAF's 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing.

At least 68 were reported to have died and 559 were injured due to the earthquake, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Friday.

A total of 366,360 people or 80,595 families were affected by the earthquake, it added.

Dozens of buildings and infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and seaports, were damaged or collapsed in Bogo and neighboring towns.

Coast Guard response

In a related development, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mobilized one of its vessels as part of its humanitarian response in northern Cebu following the powerful earthquake.

Courtesy: Coast Guard District Western Visayas/ Facebook

In a social media post on Friday evening, the PCG in Western Visayas said it has deployed the BRP Corregidor to ensure the timely and secure delivery of relief goods to Cebu.

It has been working with partner agencies and various units for the collection of food packs, bottled water, hygiene kits, and medical supplies.

The BRP Corregidor's cargo includes drinking water, canned goods, cup noodles, and canned goods. 

On Saturday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said its truck carrying 4,000 family food packs has already reached the hard-hit town of Tabogon, Cebu. — VDV, GMA Integrated News