Presidential aspirants distribute aid, launch donation drives for Odette victims

Presidential aspirants on Sunday distributed relief goods and raised donations for communities devastated by Typhoon Odette.

In a statement, Vice President Leni Robredo's office said their volunteers  coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard to distribute 2,000 5-kilogram-packs of rice and 1,548 relief good bags in Surigao del Norte.

In Siargao Island, the Office of the Vice President distributed  200 5-kilogram-packs of rice.

"This first batch of relief packages left the Relief Operations Center at 1 a.m. on Sunday and were turned over to the PCG," read the statement from the OVP.

The OVP added that donations had been pouring in since presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo called for help for those who lost their homes and loved ones in the typhoon.

Meanwhile, in their statement, former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez distributed P2.5 million worth of relief goods from the UniTeam coalition and turned over P2 million in financial aid to Southern Leyte.

UniTeam is the coalition of presidential aspirant Marcos Jr. and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Marcos and Romualdez also turned over P2 million in financial aid and P5 million in relief goods to Butuan City.

Mayor Duterte also sent social workers and doctors to augment rescue operations in Bohol.

On Twitter, Labor leader Leody de Guzman said their organization Partido Lakas ng Masa and Bulig Pilipinas are distributing solar lamps, charging packs, and relief goods in Odette-stricken communities.

De Guzman said they were still accepting in-kind donations at the Bulig Pilipinas office at 23B Marunong, Barangay Central in Quezon City as well as cash aid through BPI Bank Account 1991 011 133.

Kahit na busy sa mga commitments today, nais kong ibalita na hinahanda na ng mga kasama sa Partido Lakas ng Masa, Bulig Pilipinas at mga alyadong organisasyon ang solar lamps/charging packs at relief goods para sa mga komunidad na tinamaan ng bagyong Odette.

— Ka Leody de Guzman (@LeodyManggagawa) December 19, 2021

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced in a Facebook post that they were also launching a donation drive for residents in the Visayas and Mindanao who were affected by the typhoon.

In-kind donations may be delivered to 813-A P. Noval St. corner SH Loyola St. Sampaloc, Manila while cash donations may be sent to the Kaagapay ng Manileño Foundation Inc.'s Philippine National Bank account, with Account Number 167770003504.

For his part, Senator Manny Pacquiao launched his Typhoon Odette fundraiser last December 17.

"At least 100,000 have evacuated as Super Typhoon Odette slammed into the Philippines, causing landslides and widespread flooding. Get involved and help us support these victims overcome this typhoon," Pacquiao wrote. — DVM, GMA News