PNoy Sends More Envoys to “Ruby”- Stricken Borongan, Dolores

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III sent more emissaries today, to “Ruby”- stricken areas in Eastern Samar.

Aside from DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda who went to the area days before the typhoon onslaught, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman followed today with Department of Energy Secretary Icot Petilla and Army General Eusaquito Manalo, all on board the military aircrafts that landed at the newly refurbished Borongan airport.

Shortly after deplaning, the three rushed to the Conference room of the Eastern Samar Provincial Capitol where DILG Sec. Roxas and Sec. Edwin Lacierda were leading another emergency meeting with local chief executives and provincial department heads.

Sec. Soliman reported in the forum that more food packs and sacks of rice are to be shipped for the typhoon survivors in the whole Samar island, in fact, a C-130 carrying relief goods from an international non-government organization(INGO) was to touch down the Borongan airport before noontime.

For his part, Sec. Petilla informed that the power supply from the National Grid Corporation (NGCP) is ready to be distributed to the electric cooperatives, however, the distribution lines are in miserable conditions due to undetermined number of leaning electrical posts added to the prevailing unstable weather condition. He said, these factors hamper their aerial and foot patrol operations which is necessary in identifying the areas where found the fallen posts and damaged transmission etc.

The Army’s General Manalo gladly reported that they have just installed a Control-Tower at the Borongan airport and this will facilitate the continued relief operation with goods and services coming from the national using the local airport facility.

Meanwhile, Sec. Roxas declared that he and Sec. Lacierda were scheduled for the day, to leave northward, to Dolores and other towns to see for themselves the damage extent.

He ordered likewise the military chopper handlers present to fly to the interior barangays because no information is received of them. Specifically, Roxas directed to inspect the island barangays of Dolores: Tikling and Hilabaan and Sta. Monica of Dolores and gathered from them all needed data for relief operations and other interventions. Boarding the chopper, as directed by Roxas were one representative from local DOH, PNP, DSWD and media, the one who has a camera, Sec. Roxas stressed. (PIA-08)