RELIEF operations led by the Office of former Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre were expanded on Tuesday to cover more communities in Baybay City, Leyte, and Silago, Southern Leyte—two of the areas hardest hit by Typhoon Tino.
According to Acidre, the decision to widen the distribution of aid followed reports from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) showing extensive damage caused by strong winds and heavy rainfall in both areas.
Romualdez said the inclusion of Baybay and Silago in relief operations was made to ensure that affected residents receive immediate assistance.
“The people of Baybay and Silago have always shown resilience in the face of calamities. We want to make sure they get the support they need to recover and rebuild after the storm,” Romualdez said.
In Baybay City, the Tingog team distributed 3,750 kilograms of rice, 30 boxes of noodles, 10 boxes of biscuits, 10 boxes of coffee, 20 boxes of bottled water, and 30 boxes of canned goods. Silago, meanwhile, received 2,500 kilograms of rice, 20 boxes of noodles, 10 boxes of biscuits, 10 boxes of coffee, 20 boxes of bottled water, and 20 boxes of canned goods.
Acidre said Tingog and local government units continue to coordinate logistics for the next wave of aid, prioritizing hard-to-reach communities. “Our goal is to make sure help reaches those who need it most,” he said.
The group also acknowledged volunteers and local officials who assisted in packing and distributing the goods. Acidre said the operations form part of Tingog’s ongoing support for Eastern Visayas communities affected by natural disasters.
A day earlier, Romualdez announced that Tingog and his office had prepositioned rice and essential goods in Tacloban City and seven other municipalities in Leyte—Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Sta. Fe, Alang-alang, San Miguel, and Babatngon—to ensure faster response during emergencies.
The prepositioned supplies include 15,000 kilograms of rice, 110 boxes of noodles, 80 boxes of sardines, 20 boxes of Energen, 25 boxes of biscuits, and 80 boxes of coffee.
Tingog personnel also distributed hot meals to evacuees in Tacloban City on Monday as part of its continuing relief and readiness operations.
