Cebu Pacific mounts relief effort for Odette-hit areas

Cebu Pacific said Friday it was continuing with its various relief efforts for people and communities affected by Typhoon Odette.

The low-cost carrier said in a statement that, from December 18 to 26, it transported 235 tons of free cargo - mostly water, sacks of rice, other food items like canned goods, water purifiers/filters, health kits, and shelter items, medicines, and other necessities.

They also transported various essential goods and volunteers, free of charge, to destinations such as Cebu, Bohol, Siargao, and Surigao.

“To further drive help to those devastated by the typhoon, Cebu Pacific has partnered with both national and local governments, and private entities, such as Philippine Red Cross, UNICEF, World Vision Philippines, and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation Inc.,” the airline said.

On December 29, Cebu Pacific said it flew 32 medical workers from the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium to Siargao and Dinagat Island free of charge.

“This would have not been possible without the coordination between the DOH, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Inc., and CEB. With this, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the support that these agencies have provided to ensure the speedy arrival of the different DOH teams to the areas affected by typhoon Odette,” said Dir. Arnel Rivera, MD, FPAFP, MHA, IDHA - OIC Director IV of the DOH's Health Emergency Management Bureau.

The airline said it also made sure it took care of its own people who are based in areas devastated by the typhoon.

More than 1,600 Cebu Pacific employees across its 16 stations that were affected by Odette needed assistance.

Relief goods and emergency cash were provided to them, while other Cebu Pacific employees in Manila also extended helping hands to assist in operations at the Cebu and Manila Airports.

Apart from the free transport of essential cargo during this time, Cebu Pacific said it had also mounted 12 sweeper flights to bring home stranded passengers from Siargao and Puerto Princesa.

To date, it has already safely flown more than 500 individuals from Siargao to Manila. — DVM, GMA News