BBM-SARA UNITEAM’s 2ND PHASE  OF ‘ODETTE’ MISSION:  P28.6M IN CASH AID, P48.3M RELIEF GOODS, 11 PROVINCES

LILOAN City, Cebu – THE BBM-Sara UniTeam on Thursday completed the second phase of its Humanitarian and Relief Mission, delivering a total of P28.6 million in financial assistance and P48.3 million worth of relief goods for Super Typhoon Odette victims in 11 provinces since December 19.

In addition, the UniTeam also delivered P1 million worth of construction materials for the repair of shattered houses, several thousands bags of rice for distribution to calamity victims, a portable solar panel system, 11 units of bucket water filter system, 77 solar flashlight with chargers, 40 sacks of slippers and other vital items.

Last December 19 and 20, the UniTeam provided cash assistance and other relief goods to eight provinces namely Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Masbate, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, Bohol and Cebu.

Within the two-day period (December 19 and 20), P15 million worth of financial assistance and P23.3 million worth of relief items were delivered to the calamity victims.

On Wednesday, the UniTeam returned to Southern Leyte and Siargao Island and Cebu on Thursday to deliver the second tranche of assistance.

The group also visited Negros Oriental on Wednesday and Dinagat Islands and Palawan on Thursday.

In behalf of Dinagat Islands Gov. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, a Liberal Party (LP) leader and a former three-term Akbayan party-list congresswoman, Provincial Administrator Dr. Aimee A. Jimeno received P1 million in financial assistance and 1,000 sacks of rice from the UniTeam Alliance for the victims of Super Typhoon Odette at the provincial capitol in San Jose.

Before sending the aid to Bag-ao, Marcos and Duterte personally downloaded P1 million in financial help, 1,500 sacks of rice, an estimated 800 pairs of slippers, and 10 units of bucket water filter system to Dinagat Islands Rep. Alan 1 B. Ecleo at the Cuarenta Elementary School in San Jose.

Ecleo and Bag-Ao are not political allies.

Marcos and Duterte also visited Palawan 12 p.m. Thursday to send P2 million in financial aid and 2,000 sacks of rice to Gov. Pepito Alvarez at the Puerto Princesa City Airport.

They also turned over P700,000 to seven Palawan mayors or P100,000 each and P200,000 to Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron for typhoon victims.

The UniTeam also donated 500 sacks of rice to Bayron and another 500 sacks of rice to association of barangay captains in Palawan.

Although they are not political allies, Alvarez and Bayron joined Marcos and Duterte during the turnover ceremony.

Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza received P1 million in financial help and 2,000

sacks of rice from Marcos and Duterte during the second tranche of relief operations during a very quick stop 2 p.m. Thursday.

Marcos and Duterte also handed over in the same event P1 million in financial assistance and 3,000 sacks of rice to Liloan City Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco.

The UniTeam also gave P700,000 in financial help to seven Cebu mayors whose areas were hit by typhoon.

Last Wednesday, Marcos turned over to Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado another P1 million in financial assistance, 2,000 sacks of rice, and 77 units of solar flashlight with charger at the Maasin City Airport.

UniTeam and Tingog Party-list also handed over to hard-hit San Ricardo town in Southern Leyte P500,000 in financial aid and 500 sacks of rice for typhoon victims through Mayor Roy Salinas.

Last December 19, the UniTeam gave Mercado P2 million in financial help and P2.5 million worth of relief goods through the help of Tingog party-list.

At 10:30 a.m Wednesday in Siargao Airport, Duterte turned over P1 million in financial aid and 1,000 sacks of rice to Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

In the same event, Marcos handed over to Gen. Luna, Siargao Mayor Cecilia L. Rusillon P500,000 in financial assistance and 2,000 sacks of rice for typhoon victims.

The UniTeam also donated a portable solar panel system and one bucket water filter system for the local leaders of Surigao del  Norte.

Last December 20, the UniTeam turned over to Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas and Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Jose II “Bingo” Matugas P2 million in financial assistance and  2,000 food packs worth P1 million, 3,000 bags of rice to be distributed in  Surigao del Norte (2,000 bags) and Siargao Island (1,000 bags) at Dapa, Siargao Island.

Marcos and Duterte also visited Negros Oriental 1 p.m. Wednesday to send P2 million in financial help and 2,000 sacks of rice to reelectionist Gov. Roel Degamo at the provincial capitol in Dumaguete City.

At the same time, the camp of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves through Bayawan City Mayor Pryde Henry Teves, who is running for governor, received P1 million in financial assistance and 1,000 sacks of rice from UniTeam at the Bacong gym in Bacong, Negros Oriental.