The Philippine Navy vessel BRP Ivatan, operating under the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, arrived at Bongao Port, Tawi-Tawi on Monday to deliver relief goods for some 670 families dislocated by a fire that razed Bongao town.
The humanitarian mission, coordinated by the NFWM with various government agencies and organizations, brought a total of 48.2 tons of assorted relief goods for the fire victims.
The relief items included 1,250 sleeping kits, 250 dignity kits, 1,250 hygiene kits, 4,636 food packs, 1,000 family kits, 150 modular tents, 1,000 boxes of non-food items, 129 boxes of medicines, 50 plastic tables, 5 boxes of assorted clothing, and 4 sacks of assorted goods.
These relief supplies were provided by the Ministry of Social Services and Development – BARMM (MSSD-BARMM), Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office IX (DSWWD-IX), and the Civil Defense Regional Office-BARMM.
Upon its arrival in Bongao, the BRP Ivatan was met by the team of responders, including personnel from Marine Battalion Landing Team-1, Marine Battalion Landing Team-12, Navy reservists from 2nd Marine Brigade, Philippine Coast Guard Bongao, Maritime Police of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, and members of local government units. Together, working to unload the cargoes of relief items.
The relief goods were turned over to Mary Anne Abdul Munak, Bongao municipal administrator.
Also present were Mr. Algibran Amilasan from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Hadjimar Matba from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and Belinda Adil from the Provincial Social Welfare Office (PSWO).
The fire incident, which occurred last September 7, 2023, devastated the vicinity of Fisheries, Salamat Street in Brgy. Poblacion, Bongao, causing an estimated P20 million worth of damage to properties.