The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), through its subordinate units and reservists of Naval Forces Reserve-Western Mindanao (NFR-WM), has shipped some 50 tons of relief aid to Typhoon Odette victims in the Caraga Region.

Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., NFWM commander, said in a statement Monday that the relief aid was shipped to Siargao, Surigao del Norte, and the province of Dinagat Islands.

Caraga was among the hardest-hit areas when “Odette” made its first landfall in Siargao Island in the afternoon of Dec. 16, 2021.

Adaci said the relief mission was composed of two groups – one coming from this city headed by Lt. Cdr. Muksin Jasid, NFWM Civil-Military Operations chief, and the other from Cotabato City led by Cdr. Suharto Ambolodto of NFR-WM.

Adaci said the convoy of trucks loaded with relief goods departed on January 28 from this city and Cotabato City and made a rendezvous at the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Barangay Bancasi, Butuan City.

“They continued the voyage the following day and arrived in Surigao City port on January 29,” Adaci said.

He said the 50 tons of assorted relief goods included bags of rice, boxes of assorted canned goods, noodles, clothing, and drinking water donated by Navy personnel, government officials, civic groups, fishing firms, remittance firms, and non-government organizations.

The relief goods were received by Racendil Lesondra and Carina Borja, on behalf of the beneficiaries of Dinagat Islands and Siargao Island, respectively, in a turnover ceremony Sunday afternoon headed by Commodore Carlos Sabbre commander of Joint Task Force Sambisi.

Lesondra and Borja are the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office chief, and Provincial Development and Planning Office chief, respectively, of Surigao del Norte.

“We would like to extend our foremost gratitude to all partner stakeholders and other involved units who supported the humanitarian mission,” Adaci said.

“Your Navy apart from sending its ships in aid of the current relief operations is also ready to travel thousands of miles just to reach out needy kababayans,” he added. (PNA)