In the spirit of Bayanihan, members of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office were dispatched to Cebu City to help in the clearing operations as well as provision of potable water to residents affected by super typhoon Odette.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he has deployed a 16-man team of the MDRRMO who were willing to celebrate Christmas away from their families while serving the very basic need of Cebuanos—clean water.
MDRRMO Director Arnel Angeles said the 16 members of the MDRRMO came in three batches, arriving in Cebu City on December 22, 23 and 24, which is Christmas eve. Most of the personnel came from different fire volunteer groups in Manila.
Of the 16 personnel, 12 were assigned in the clearing operations of debris and fallen trees left by Typhoon Odette, while four were in charge of the water purification robots that were brought by the team.
“We help in clearing debris. We did not bring relief goods but we did bring a Water Filtration Machine. We brought heavy equipment and tools, such as saws and cutting machines,” Angeles said.
Angeles said a water tanker was also mobilized to provide much needed water to Cebu City residents.
“We have been concentrating all over Cebu City this week. There are different barangays but they are all from Cebu City and I am the team leader,” Angeles said.
Angeles said aside from one fire truck, they also brought a rescue truck as part of Pilipinas Bilis Kilos “Operation Tabang” of the Manila mayor.
Angeles said their operations started on Dec. 22 and his personnel were able to finish clearing operations in three barangays along with the provision of purified water.
Angeles said a “Kaagapay Tanker Transporter 3,” which can be used as a storage for their diesel and gas, water and generator sets was also brought to Cebu City.
Angeles said half of the team may leave Cebu City for Lapu-Lapu City also in Cebu province to also provide clearing operations there.
“Maybe on Dec. 27, half of us will go to Lapu-Lapu City. Cebu province is big because we came from Carcar so there is still water there. After the clearing, we have also cleared the national highway so here we are focusing on the whole city of Cebu because there are still many impassable roads,” Angeles said.
