Albay gets more relief assistance

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Since it was declared an “open city” a week ago, flood-hit Albay continues to receive help from both local and international donors, ranging from food packs to livelihood assistance, including fishing gear and training.

President Aquino is expected to distribute relief goods today to evacuees here and in Sto. Domingo town.

Gov. Joey Salceda said the latest assistance came from the Taiwan-based international organization Supreme Master Ching Hai that distributed relief packs containing rice, noodles, salt, sugar, and laundry and bath soaps to the landslide-affected residents of Manito, Sto. Domingo, Mali­lipot, and Bacacay towns.

The Philippine Red Cross also distributed blankets, mats and mosquito nets to evacuation centers in landslide-hit Manito town the other day, and would visit other evacuees in Malilipot, Bacacay and Sto. Domingo towns within the week.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities gave relief items and hygiene kits, Salceda said.

Also expected to extend assistance are Accion Contra la Faime (Action Against Hunger-ACF), a Spain-funded group, and the International Organization of Migrants, which signified its intention to provide fishing gear and training to the displaced residents, Salceda said.

“Our declaration of Albay as an open city unlocks various forms of local and international assistance coming from benevolent organizations and donors here and abroad,” Salceda told The STAR.