DIPOLOG CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 11, 2013) – Philippine soldiers aided local government in Zamboanga del Norte in delivering relief goods to villagers trapped by flash floods in the town of Gutalac, officials said Sunday.
Officials said the military dispatched two helicopters to deliver the aid in the areas worst hit by floods.
The 10th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Leonel Nicolas orchestrated the inter-agency collaboration to ensure the immediate delivery of relief goods from the provincial and municipal governments and Department of Social Welfare and Development to affected families.
He said Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, facilitated the immediate deployment of two helicopters from Tactical Operations Group 9 under the 3rd Air Division in Zamboanga City.
The helicopters delivered over 600 packs of relief goods and 41 bottles of four-liter mineral water were distributed in the villages of Canupong and Map. Each pack contained 12.5 kilos rice, 13 cans of sardines and one pack of noodles, according to Nicolas.
Nicolas said the aerial operations will be complemented by simultaneous ground relief operations to fast track the delivery of food supplies to the villagers, particularly in Tipan, Sibalic and Panganuran.
He said it will take several days before roads in the villagers are cleared by debris and rocks due to the continued rains. (Mindanao Examiner)
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